Justice Abdu- Kafarati of the Federal High Court in Abuja,Wednesday, granted an order filed by Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), proscribing and declaring the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as “acts of terrorism and illegality.”
Excerpts of the certified true copy of court judgment, dated September 20,2017, obtained by huhuonline.com reads:
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS”
1) “That the application is granted as prayed.”
2) “THAT AN ORDER declaring that the activities of the Respondent(Indigenius People of Biafra) in any part of Nigeria especially in the South-East and South – South Regions of Nigeria amounts to acts of terrorism and illegality is granted.”
3) “THAT AN ORDER Order proscribing the existence of the Respondents(Indigenous People of Biafra) in any part of Nigeria,especially the South-East and South-South Nigeria either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called and publishing same in the official gazzette and two(2) National Dailies.”
4) “THAT AN ORDER restraining any person or groups of persons from participating in any manner whatever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intentions or otherwise of Respondent(Indigenous People of Biafra) under any other name or platform, however, called or described in granted.”
Huhuonline.com undertands that Justice Abdu -Kafarati was secretly sworn in as Chief Judge of Federal High Court on Saturday, as condemnation trailed the proscription and categorization of Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) by South -East Governor and Military.
Analyst insists that Abdu-Kafaratti was sworn in for this purpose,however,It remains to be seen how an administration renowned for disobeying court orders will enforce this proscription and categorization order issued by a judge with a checkered past.
Full text of Court order is reproduced below
1) An order of this Honourable court declaring that activivites of the Respondent(Indigenous People of Biafra) in any part of Nigeria especially in the South-East and South – South Regions of Nigeria amounts in acts of terrorism and illegality.
2) An Order of this Honorable court proscribing the existence of the Respondents(Indigenous People of Biafra) in any part of Nigeria,especially the South-East and South-South Nigeria either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called and publishing same in the official gazzette and two(2) National Dailies.
3) An Order restraining any person or groups of persons from participating in any manner whatever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intentions or otherwise of Respondent(Indigenous People of Biafra) under any other name or platform, however, called or described.
4) And for such further or any other orders as this Honorable court may dim fit to make in the circumstances of this case.
AND UPON READING the affidavit in support , certificate on compliance with section 84 of Evidence Act 2011 both sworn to by CPL Kolawole Mathew of Nigerian Army and written by address attached thereto all dated and filed at the Court Registry, Abuja.
AND AFTER HEARING Mr. Abubakar Malami,SAN Hon. Attorney General of the Federation(with him Dayo Apata Esq,Solicitor General Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Maimuna.L.Shiru, AG Director of Civil Litigation,T.A. Gazali Esq and Oyin Koleosho Esg, of counsel for thr Applicant move in terms of the motion paper.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:
1)That the application is granted as prayed.
2) THAT AN ORDER declaring that the activities of the Respondent(Indigenous People of Biafra) in any part of Nigeria especially in the South-East and South – South Regions of Nigeria amounts to acts of terrorism and illegality is granted.
3) THAT AN ORDER proscribing the existence of the Respondents(Indigenous People of Biafra) in any part of Nigeria,especially the South-East and South-South Nigeria either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called and publishing same in the official gazzette and two(2) National Dailies.
4) THAT AN ORDER restraining any person or groups of persons from participating in any manner whatever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intentions or otherwise of Respondent(Indigenous People of Biafra) under any other name or platform, however, called or described is granted.
