An Ebonyi State High Court on Thursday discharged and acquitted 24 Biafran freedom fighters who had faced treason and conspiracy charges since their arrest on May 24, 2020.
Justice I.P. Chima upheld a preliminary objection from the defense, ruling that the defendants could not be retried on charges for which they had already been cleared by multiple courts.
The judgment cited Section 36(9) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits double jeopardy—a legal principle preventing individuals from being tried twice for the same offense. Justice Chima declared the prolonged detention unconstitutional and ordered the immediate release of the detainees.
Lead defense counsel Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, representing the Indigenous People of Biafra, hailed the verdict as a triumph for justice.
“This is a historic victory,” Ejiofor said. “These innocent citizens were kept in custody under recycled and repackaged allegations even after being discharged and acquitted by not less than five different High Courts in Ebonyi State.”
He praised Justice Chima for delivering a “bold, fearless and intellectually profound” judgment that reinforced public trust in the judiciary. Ejiofor confirmed coordination with correctional authorities to expedite the detainees’ release and urged the Ebonyi State Government to provide rehabilitation and compensation.
“Justice was delayed but not denied. Today marks the end of a painful four-year ordeal. The light of justice has finally pierced the clouds of oppression,” he added.
