NEWS
UPDATED-Court Exonerates 50 Alleged IPOB Members of Terrorism Charge
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, discharged and acquitted no fewer than 50 persons alleged to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of allegations bordering on terrorism.
Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the Nigerian Police Force failed, in its entirety, to established a prima facie case against the 50 defendants, including four women.
Justice Omotosho, who upheld the no-case submission of the defendants, said that the prosecution failed to adduce any credible evidence, linking the defendants to the allegations with which they were charged.
The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/8/2024, sued the 50 defendants.
They were alleged to have assembled themselves inside 911 truck with Reg No. XA-139 BDN, and engaging themselves in a meeting all about, and in connection with an act of terrorism.
They were alleged to have in their custody 48 Black Caps, 25 Red Caps, 6 Orange Colour Caps, and all were designed in IPOB emblem with various charms, otherwise known as “juju.”
The police further alleged that their “gathering was for the purpose of promoting illegality in other to terrorise the people of Anambra.”
The police said the offence is contrary and punishable under Section 12 of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, among other counts.
The police called four witnesses to establish their case after which the team of defendants’ lawyers, led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, opted for a no-submission case.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Omotosho said that Section 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 makes provision for what the court should look out for in upholding or dismissing a no+case submission.
These, he said, are whether the essential element of the offence has been proved, whether there is evidence linking the defendants with the commission of the offence with which they are charged.
Others he said are whether on the face of the record, the evidence of the prosecution has been so discredited and rendered unreliable by cross examination that it would be unsafe to convict on such evidence,” he said, among others.
According to the judge, at this stage, what the court concerns itself with is whether the prosecution has established a prima facie against the defendant such that the defendant will have to enter his defence.
Ruling on count one, he said: “From the evidence of prosecution witnesses, there is nothing to show that the defendants are even members of IPOB.
“In fact, the only evidence presented by the prosecution witnesses is that the defendants were arrested together in a truck.
“That upon being asked where they were heading to, responded that they were going for a burial but could not name the deceased or the person who invited them.
“This cannot be sufficient reason to suspect the defendants of engaging in terrorist activities.
“The witnesses did not show that the defendants were heading for a meeting of IPOB neither was there evidence of intelligence that the defendants are terrorists.
“The prosecution witnesses even stated that they were engaged in gun duel when they were taking the defendants to the police station but it was not the defendants who shot at them.
“That during the gun battle some of the defendants jumped out of the truck and ran into the bush.
“I think it is reasonable to say that every person caught in a cross fire will likely find a way of escaping due to the need to protect his life.
“The defendants who jumped out of the truck have not committed any offence by jumping out of the truck to save their lives.”
The judge held that the evidence before the court showed that the defendants were peaceful throughout their arrest.
“This court then wonders how a terrorist would be peaceful,” he said, citing Section 46 of the Act.
He said the court observed that the exhibits recovered from the defendants which include calabash, cowries, red cloth and figurine did not conclusively proved that the defendants used them for terrorist activities.
“It is a well-known fact that calabashes are used for trade by barter (during pre-colonial era), to serve food and even as items of traditional worship.
“Also I remember that when I was growing up in Lagos in those days, some parents were fond of wearing cowries on their children’s waist.
“Does this then mean that those parents were members of IPOB or a terrorist organisation?
“The answer is a resounding no. Cowries were once used as means of exchange in pre-colonial Nigeria and this court is aware that it is still being used by some people for traditional worship.
“As far as this court is concerned, cowries are not weapons to cause harm or mass fear or hysteria in the populace which is common to terrorist activities.
“Furthermore, the efficacy of the juju allegedly recovered from the defendants was not demonstrated before the court to show that it was a weapon.
“Prosecution witness also stated that it was fearful, without proving its power if any.
“All these point to the fact that the defendants did not participate in any terrorist activity or promote any terrorist activity.
“None of the recovered exhibits bear the insignia of IPOB, thus, they could not have been accused of promoting the activities of a proscribed group.
“The defendants were not caught engaging in terrorist activity but were only found in a truck.
“The prosecution has failed woefully in linking the defendants to the charge.
“The prosecution has also failed to prove any of the ingredients of the offence against the defendants.
“This is even more so as the statements of the defendants which may have been helpful to the case of the prosecution were rejected by the court.
On count three which bordered on conspiracy, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to show that the defendants were in the 911 truck on the Dec. 1, 2023 with a common intention to commit an illegal act.
“Neither has the prosecution proved that the illegal act committed was as a result of the meeting of minds of the defendants,” he said.
According to him, this court struggles to see how the defendants conspired to commit a terrorist act.
“The evidence led by the prosecution is woefully short of what is required to establish this count.
“As it stands, there is nothing before the court to warrant the calling on the defendants to put in their defence as no prima facie case has been proved by the prosecution,” he stated.
The judge said the charge before the court “appeared to be a trumped up charge against the defendants, including old men, women, youths and middle aged persons who were unfortunate to be arrested together in a truck at night.”
He said the prosecution had failed in its one duty of making out a prima facie case against the defendants.
“The charge against the defendants are quite serious as they carry very stiff imprisonment terms.
“Yet the prosecution without much substantial ground, presented a paper-thin case which proves almost nothing against the defendants.
“The evidence of shooting, attack against the police in the course of arresting the defendant was shown under cross examination to have been perpetrated by other persons apart from the defendants.
“There is therefore not enough or any semblance of a prima facie case which would make the defendants put in their defence.
“The case presented by the prosecution lacks enough substance and accordingly the defendants cannot be held liable.
“In final analysis, the prosecution has failed to make out a prima facie case against the defendants.
“Consequently, the no-case submissions of the defendants are hereby upheld and they are hereby discharged and acquitted of the three counts charge,” he declared.(NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
Authorities in the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday honoured renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chief Dr. Sam Maduka Onyishi, with the unveiling of a street named after him in Asokoro, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council’s Department of Street Naming, Mr.
Charles Adikwu, said the honour was in recognition of Onyishi’s remarkable contributions to national development, job creation, and community upliftment.Adikwu described the Peace Mass Transit founder as “a businessman who built his enterprises from scratch to the top,” noting that Onyishi has grown into one of Nigeria’s most influential private-sector employers.
The honouree is the Chairman of Globus Bank, Peace Microfinance Bank, Peace Oil & Gas, Peace Mass Transit, and the Chancellor of Sam Maduka University, Akwegbo, Enugu. According to Adikwu, Onyishi’s businesses have collectively provided employment to over 150,000 Nigerians, making him “one of the highest employers of labour in the country.”
Adikwu added that naming streets after distinguished Nigerians also enhances security and navigation within Abuja communities.
“If anything happens along this route, it can now be easily identified as taking place at No. 7 Sam Maduka Onyishi Street,” he said. “Before now, locating places involved unnecessary descriptions that sometimes complicated emergency responses.”
Also speaking, the Regional Manager of Peace Mass Transit (Northern Region), Mr. Ngwu Jude Chinweike, said the gesture reflects government’s increasing willingness to recognise individuals who positively impact society.
He expressed delight that his principal was among those honoured, describing the development as a morale boost for communities and a reminder that meaningful contributions do not go unnoticed.
“The public will now understand that when you make positive impact in your community, government has a way of recognising your efforts,” he said.
Chinweike noted that the newly named street is already attracting interest from businesses and institutions, including security agencies, and assured that Peace Mass Transit and Onyishi’s other subsidiaries would support efforts to enhance the area’s outlook.
“Since the street bears his name, we will keep our eyes here and contribute to ensuring it looks good,” he added.
Chief Dr. Sam Maduka Onyishi, widely regarded for his philanthropy and transformative investment footprint, continues to maintain an active presence in transportation, finance, energy, and education sectors across the country.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
Experts in the health sector, at the weekend agreed that even though foreign grants and aid remain highly valuable, it is imperative for the three tiers of government to increase domestic funding in Nigeria.
They agreed that it is only through the above the nation can build a resilient, domestically financed health system.
This was agreed at the 9th annual health conference organized by the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHeJ) in Abuja.
The theme of this year conference is ‘Domestic Resource Mobilization in the Face of Dwindling Foreign Grants and Aids’ .
Among those who spoke at the occasion, include, Special Adviser to President on Health, Dr.
Salma Ibrahim Anas, .Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Kunle Salako, representative from National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), Dr. Matins Illuyomade,Salako who was represented by his Special Adviser, Dr. Babatunde Akinyemi, said Nigeria has benefited from substantial foreign health assistance, including over $6 billion from PEPFAR, $2.5 billion from the Global Fund, $1.5 billion from the World Bank, $1.2 billion from Gavi, and $1.6 billion from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
He stressed, that government initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), including the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), which has disbursed over N260 billion to states and the Federal Capital Territory since 2018, and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, mandating health insurance for all Nigerians.
He said, “The United States government, through PEPFAR, has invested over $6 billion in Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response since 2004, with annual allocations averaging $400-450 million in recent years. In fiscal year 2023 alone, USAID (Now DoS) allocated approximately $535 million for health programs in Nigeria, covering HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and maternal and child health initiatives.
“The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has disbursed over $2.5 billion to Nigeria since 2003, making us one of the largest recipients globally. The World Bank currently supports our health sector with approximately $1.5 billion through various projects, including the $500 million Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Program and the $820 million International Development Association credit for primary healthcare strengthening. Similarly, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has committed over $1.2 billion to Nigeria since 2001 for immunization programs, while the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has invested approximately $1.6 billion across various health interventions in Nigeria over the past two decades.
“The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), though reducing its overall aid budget, continues to invest significantly in Nigeria’s health system, particularly through the £210 million Health Systems Strengthening program. The European Union and its member states collectively provide approximately €100 million annually for health-related interventions, while the Government of Japan, through JICA, supports our health infrastructure development with grants averaging $30 million annually.
.Multilateral development banks and financial instruments have also remained vital partners; the World Bank in 2024 approved substantial concessional financing, including a major credit and complementary grant financing package that supports health outcomes and health system resilience across states and communities. Such financing is targeted not only at service delivery but at strengthening our ability to prevent, detect, and respond to emergencies”.
Salako noted, “Foreign grants and aid remain highly valuable and will continue to finance critical interventions for some time. But the future we must build is one where domestic resource mobilization, fiscal discipline, efficient spending, and innovative financing are the engines that sustain our national health priorities. The Government of Nigeria is already advancing legal and budgetary instruments, leaning on proven programme data, and working with partners to protect gains while we scale domestic financing.
“Our commitment is to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind during this transition, and that we convert a period of funding volatility into a long-term opportunity to build a resilient, domestically financed health system”.
The Minister of state also enumerated the innovative domestic financing efforts at the state and private sector levels.
“Lagos State allocates over 12% of its budget to health, Kaduna State’s contributory health scheme has enrolled 1.6 million residents, and Abia State has launched a diaspora health investment fund.
“The Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority contributed over N50 billion and $200 million, respectively, to health initiatives,” he said.
Dr. Salma, in her presentation, said, donor fatigue is real, and the inevitable graduation of Nigeria from various aid programs is approaching.
In his welcome address, ANHeJ President, Joseph Kadiri, said the conference theme, “Domestic Resource Mobilisation in the Face of Dwindling Foreign Grants and Aid,” underscores the urgent need to strengthen domestic financing, partnerships, and resilient health institutions.
Kadiri called on journalists to track government commitments, highlight gaps, and amplify the realities faced by Nigerian families.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to resume and complete the long abandoned Bridge Project in Akenfa Community, a suburb of the state capital city, Yenagoa
The Deputy Governor, Sen.
Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the call while presiding over an enlarged meeting with representatives of the NDDC, community leaders of Akenfa Community and relevant government officials at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday.The Deputy Governor has clarified that, although the state government decided to take over some neglected NDDC projects in the state, including the Polaku-Sabagreia Bridge, that of Akenfa was reverted back to the interventionist federal agency after a mutual discussion between the two parties.
Describing the Akenfa link-Bridge project as strategic and critical to pedestrians and vehicular movements in the oil-producing community, Senator Ewhrudjakpo informed that government officially communicated the re-handing over of the project to NDDC in a letter dated 10th March, 2025.
He empathized with the Akenfa community over the delay in the execution of the project, and urged the NDDC to expedite the process of completing it with a view to putting an end to commuting challenges facing the people.
His words: “The project has actually been sent back to the NDDC to handle. But the NDDC seems to be far away from the Akenfa Community. So they find it easier to come to us.
“We believe that the project has gone a long way. What is required to complete it may not be as much as what has gone in there.
“So, we felt that we should hàve this tripartite interaction to let the community know officially that the project is now in the hands of NDDC, and also to let the agency know that our community is agitated considering the long history of that project.”
Responding on behalf of the NDDC, the Bayelsa representative, Senator Deinyabofa Dimaro, said the Commission would review the entire project and have it captured in its 2026 budget for seamless execution.
Senator Dimaro, who promised to properly relate the issue to the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, however, requested relevant documents from the State Government regarding the reversion of the project back to the NDDC.
Representatives of Akenfa Community who spoke at the meeting included, former Chief of Staff Government House, Yenagoa, Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, and a one-time paramount ruler of the community, Chief Isiya Albert.
Meanwhile, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has on behalf of the Governor constituted a tripartite contact committee involving the government, the NDDC and the Akenfa community to ensure the resumption and completion of the stalled Akenfa Bridge project.
Members of the committee include the state NDDC representative, Senator Deinyabofa Dimaro; the Commissioner for Special Duties (Central), Mandy Akpallo; and Chief Dikivie Ikiogha.
Others are the Technical Adviser to the Governor on NDDC Matters, Kuro Nyenye; Chief Isiya Albert; Secretary to the Akenfa Community, Wilson Mumeya, the Youth President, Moses Izibekiebo, as well as an engineer to be nominated by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
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