In a historic legal triumph, today marked a significant win for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as they secured victory against the proscription imposed on IPOB by the Southeast Governors’ Forum and the Federal Government.
Led by Aloy Ejimakor, Esq., a legal team presented their case before the High Court of Enugu State in SUIT NO: E/20/2023, filed in January 2023.
The case challenged the collective executive actions taken in 2017 that led to the proscription of IPOB and its classification as a terrorist group, actions deemed to contravene Section 42 of the Constitution prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity.
Justice A.O. Onovo, delivering a thorough judgment that spanned over three hours, granted several reliefs, including:
- Declaration of Illegality: The court declared the proscription of IPOB, arrest, detention, and prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as illegal, unconstitutional, and a violation of fundamental rights.
- Self-Determination Not a Crime: The court explicitly stated that self-determination is not a crime, and as such, cannot be a basis for arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
- Official Letter(s) of Apology: The Respondents were ordered to issue an official Letter(s) of Apology to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for the infringement of his fundamental rights, with a directive for publication in three national dailies.
- Monetary Damages: The court ordered the Respondents to pay N8,000,000,000.00 (Eight Billion Naira) to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as monetary damages for the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, property, and other damages suffered due to the infringements of his fundamental rights.
Aloy Ejimakor expressed gratitude to his colleagues in chambers for their contribution to this significant legal victory.
