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The Federal High Court 1 sitting in Owerri, Imo State, presided over by Hon. Justice I.N. Oweibo has cleared the Head of Directorate of State of Indigenous People of Biafra, Chika Edoziem, of charges related to terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping and violent criminal activities.
Justice Oweibo delivered the judgment in Suit No: FHC/OW/FHR/29/2024, between Mazi Chika Edoziem Vs Hon. Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff and consequently declared as “illegal”, the designation of Edoziem as a wanted person, terrorist, insurgent, kidnapper and violent criminal by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff.
The ruling affirms that the March 22, 2024, publication of Edoziem’s name and photograph in the Ministry of Defence’s First Edition of 2024, as a security threat, was done in “gross violation of his constitutionally guaranteed right to dignity of the human person, and as such, unconstitutional”.
In the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, His Lordship, further directed the Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff to immediately retract the unconstitutional declaration of Mazi Chika Edoziem as a “terrorist”, “insurgent”, “kidnapper”, “violent criminal” and “wanted person”, and to issue an unreserved public apology in two national newspapers to Mazi Chika Edoziem.
The court also awarded ₦5 million in damages to Mazi Chika Edoziem for the infringement of his fundamental right to the dignity of the human person.
Notably, among the many names listed in the said notice, Mazi Chika Edoziem was the only one who successfully challenged the publication or inclusion of his name in the offending publication.
Edoziem is the next in the rank to the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Reacting to the development, the lead counsel for IPOB, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has hailed the Federal High Court 1, for the “landmark” judgment clearing the Head of Directorate of State of IPOB, Mazi Chika Edoziem, of charges related to terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, and violent criminal activities.
Edoziem is the next in the rank to the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Ejiofor, in a statement on Thursday, described the ruling as “historic” and “landmark”, saying that the judgment is a strong statement against unjust profiling and underscores the importance of due process in security matters.
He said, “Security agencies must focus on proper profiling to identify actual criminals rather than targeting innocent citizens. The real perpetrators of crime operate in known locations, and tackling insecurity requires collective responsibility beyond just the security forces.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my dedicated colleagues in Chambers whose relentless efforts made this victory possible. Special thanks to Ezigbo Umuchineke for their unwavering support and prayers, whose peaceful conduct has enabled seamless defence in matters affecting genuine and peaceful agitators.
“Above all, I thank Almighty God for His guidance and protection throughout the proceedings.
“Justice has prevailed.”
