The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), declaring it a terrorist organisation.
The court in an ex parte order also declared illegal all activities of the organisation just as it criminalised participation in such activities by individuals or groups in any part of Nigeria, especially in the South East and South South regions.
Newly sworn-in acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdu Kafarati, gave the order after hearing an ex parte application filed and argued in the chamber by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
By the ex parte order, the court has given a judicial backing to the executive order of President Muhammadu Buhari outlawing IPOB.
Malami was accompanied to the court by Dayo Apata, Solicitor General of the Federation; Maimuna Shiru, acting Director for Civil Litigation; T.A Gazali and Oyin Koleosho.
The chief judge granted all the reliefs on the motion paper as prayed by the AGF.
Malami had always been represented at events organised by the court but was however in attendance at Tuesday’s valedictory session held in honour of Justice Ibrahim Auta, the immediate past Chief Judge of the court.
