Twenty-four Biafra agitators, who have been in detention for months, have been released unconditionally.
NewsBits gathered that the order for their freedom was given by an Ebonyi State High Court. Their lead counsel, Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, confirmed this on Thursday.
He wrote on his social media page: “As we speak, the Ebonyi State High Court is delivering a landmark ruling, the remaining 24 Biafran detainees have, for the umpteenth time, been discharged and acquitted!
“Justice is speaking loud and clear. Freedom is here. Glory be to the Almighty God!” Speaking to journalists after the session, he hailed the court for upholding the course of justice.
Ejiofor disclosed that they were earlier discharged by the court, adding that, surprisingly, they were re-arraigned on a 6-count charge involving “robbery, arson, unlawful association, and other frivolous charges”.
He said after they were discharged for the second time, the prosecution still filed fresh charges against them. According to him, “At the end of the prosecution’s case, we still filed a no-case submission.
“We raised objections that bothered on the rights of the accused persons, and this morning, (today), His Lordship discharged and acquitted the defendants. We commend the judge for doing justice to this case; we commend the judiciary for rising to its duties.”
While lamenting the suffering the detainees had passed through, the lawyer urged the state to “look into reparation for the defendants on account of the injustice they have suffered for the past four years.” He further disclosed that he was proceeding to the prison to ensure that the freed agitators were handed over to him.
