12 IPOB members regain freedom after four years in detention

Abdullateef Fowewe

Following a ruling by the Ebonyi State High Court, 12 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, who had been held in detention since May 24, 2021, regained their freedom on Thursday.

The long-awaited release marks a major legal breakthrough for the group, whose members have spent nearly four years in prison custody.

The development was confirmed by IPOB’s legal representative, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who shared the news in a statement posted on his Facebook handle on Thursday.

According to Ejiofor, their release came after the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) formally withdrew the most recent charges against them, in recognition of earlier judicial pronouncements.

He wrote, “History was made today, April 10, 2025, at the Ebonyi State High Court, as 12 Biafran inmates – part of a group of 36 held since May 24, 2021 – were finally set free in compliance with successive court orders discharging and acquitting them of all charges.

“This victory follows a formal application by the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who, in acknowledgement of repeated judicial pronouncements, withdrew the latest charge filed against these 12 individuals. It marked a long-overdue respect for the rule of law and a reaffirmation of their innocence, which courts had upheld time and again.

“In line with the court’s directive, I personally ensured the handover of the released individuals, an order promptly complied with by the prison authorities.

“Our legal team remains relentless and fully committed to securing the freedom of the remaining detainees – men who have also been discharged and acquitted by no fewer than four different High Courts in Ebonyi State.

“Their release is no longer a matter of if but when, and that moment draws closer by the day. Justice may be delayed, but it shall not be denied. Freedom must prevail.”