The court while delivering its ruling on an ex-parte application filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the federal government, also proscribed the group and restrained all members of the public from promoting or participating in the activities of the group.
The AGF had in his prayers before the court asked the Federal High Court to rule that IPOB activities amounted to acts of terrorism and illegality. The AGF similarly urged the court to proscribe IPOB and restrain all citizens from joining the group or participating in its activities.
Wednesday’s ruling comes after a controversial declaration by the Nigerian military last week that IPOB was a militant terrorist organisation.
The announcement of the Defence Headquarters was then followed by a statement from the South-East Governors Forum that IPOB had been proscribed in all five states of the south-east region.
The military declaration and the statement by the governors was immediately met with criticism from many legal practitioners who argued that due process was not followed. To them, such declaration and proscription could only be done by the court as contained in the Terrorism Prohibition Act of 2011 as amended in 2013.
Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Monday also described as unconstitutional the designation of IPOB as a terrorist organisation by the military and its proscription by the south-east governors.
IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu has not been seen in public since an upheaval in Abia state last week which led to the death of a policeman. A number of IPOB members were also arrested for murder and other criminal charges.
Kanu is already facing a treasonable felony charge and is presently on bail even though many believe he had flouted his bail conditions. The federal government has also asked the court to revoke Kanu’s bail and remand him in prison until the conclusion of his trial.
With Wednesday’s ruling, the road ahead looks quite dreary for Kanu and his secessionist group.
Images of the Court Order below:
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