The Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State, has exonerated Chika Edoziem, the Head of the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from all terrorism-related allegations.
The court also ruled against the Federal Government, awarding Edoziem N5 million in damages for the violation of his fundamental rights.
Justice I.N. Oweibo, delivering judgment in a case filed by Edoziem against the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff, declared that the government’s publication listing him as a wanted person, terrorist, insurgent, and violent criminal was illegal.
The court held that such a designation was a violation of his constitutionally protected rights.
Edoziem, who holds a high-ranking position in IPOB next to its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had been declared wanted by the authorities in a March 22, 2024, publication by the Ministry of Defence. The court found this action to be in breach of his right to dignity and ruled it unconstitutional.
Justice Oweibo ordered the immediate retraction of the publication and directed the government to issue a public apology in two national newspapers.
Additionally, the court awarded Edoziem N5 million in damages as compensation for the infringement on his rights.