By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
Published On the Biafra post
On Apr 12, 2025
A human rights activist and lawyer, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor has confirmed that the twelve members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who have been held in detention since May 24, 2021, have finally been released following a ruling by the Ebonyi State High Court.
The release, confirmed by IPOB’s lead counsel sir Ejiofor, comes after repeated court judgments acquitting the individuals, with bureaucratic delays keeping them behind bars until now.
Ejiofor stated, “History was made today at the Ebonyi State High Court, as 12 Biafran inmates part of a group of 36 held since May 24, 2021, were finally set free in compliance with successive court orders discharging and acquitting them of all charges.” He emphasised that the release is a long-overdue acknowledgment of judicial rulings and a reaffirmation of their innocence, upheld by courts time and again.
According to Ejiofor, their eventual release was prompted by the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecution, represented in court by senior state counsel Macfred Ezike, who formally withdrew the most recent charges filed against them.
Their innocence
The lawyer emphasised that the release marked a long-overdue acknowledgment of judicial rulings, calling it “a reaffirmation of their innocence, which courts had upheld time and again.”
Ejiofor noted that he personally ensured the court’s release order was carried out, with prison authorities promptly complying.
The lawyer also expressed optimism regarding the remaining IPOB detainees still in custody, stating that they too have been discharged and acquitted by no fewer than four separate High Courts in Ebonyi State.
In a statement following the release, Ejiofor highlighted that while justice may be delayed, it will not be denied, and freedom must prevail.
He added that the release of the 12 Biafrans after four years of detention marks a great victory for the rule of law and the rights of individuals to a fair trial and justice.
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