Nnamdi Kanu Challenges Court Declaration of IPOB as Terrorist Group

Nnamdi Kanu Challenges Court Declaration of IPOB as Terrorist Group

The leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a motion in court challenging an order of a Federal High Court proscribing the group and declaring it a terrorist organization.

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu’s lawyer, said the motion was filed on Friday. The motion dated September 21 argued that IPOB is a non-violent organisation and therefore the decision of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to issue an order, based on a motion made ex-parte, was illegal, Premium Times reports.

A motion ex-parte is a motion heard by the court without the presence of the other party/parties.

The lawyer argued that his client, whose whereabouts has been unknown since the violent crisis in Abia started two weeks ago, was not given fair hearing and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to give such an order.

The Nigerian government on Wednesday obtained an order of court, affirming the declaration of IPOB as a terror group.

The group, which seeks an independent country of Biafra, has been accused of killing and intimidating civilians and security operatives.

Kanu has also been seen in video footages and audio recordings threatening to unleash violence on the country as a means towards actualising Biafra.