Twelve individuals affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have been freed from detention after spending nearly 12 years in custody. Their release came on Thursday, following a ruling by the High Court in Ebonyi State.
The group, arrested on May 24, 2021, were part of a larger number of IPOB members taken into custody that year. Although several court verdicts had previously cleared them of all charges, they remained imprisoned due to procedural delays in enforcing the rulings.
IPOB’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, shared the news on his official Facebook page, revealing that the latest breakthrough was made possible after the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) withdrew all remaining legal claims against the 12 individuals.
“This outcome is a reflection of the judiciary’s consistent stance on the innocence of these men,” Ejiofor stated, describing the court’s action as “an overdue but welcome nod to justice.”
Ejiofor confirmed that the prison authorities complied with the court’s directive, and he was personally involved in ensuring the release was handled without delay.
He also emphasized that efforts are ongoing to free other IPOB members who were similarly acquitted by at least four High Courts in the state but remain in custody.
“The release of the rest is no longer in doubt—it’s only a matter of time,” Ejiofor affirmed. “Justice may be slow, but it is inevitable. Freedom will always prevail.”
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