IPOB to FG: Stop Misleading the Public, We Were Not Legally Proscribed

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on the Federal Government to refrain from misrepresenting its legal status, asserting that the group was never lawfully proscribed under Nigerian or international law.

In a statement released by its Directorate of Legal Affairs and signed by spokesperson Emma Powerful, IPOB maintained that the 2017 ex parte order obtained by the government was not a final court judgment and lacked due process.

“The ex parte order was issued without prior notice, evidence, or opportunity for IPOB to defend itself. This clearly violates Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing,” the statement read.

The group warned that referring to IPOB as a “terrorist organisation” in public discourse, media reports, or government communication without a valid post-trial court ruling could amount to defamation and a breach of constitutional rights.

IPOB insisted that no competent court has delivered a final judgment convicting or designating it as a terrorist group. It further noted that the legal challenge against its proscription remains active at the Supreme Court.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful advocacy, stressing that it continues to pursue all legal avenues to clear its name, unlike groups formally designated as terrorist organisations by both Nigerian authorities and international institutions.

“It is important to clarify that IPOB has not been convicted of terrorism by any court after a full and fair trial. Labelling the group otherwise undermines the principles of justice,” the statement said.

IPOB also urged the media and government officials to avoid conflating the terms “proscribed group” and “terrorist organisation,” especially when such labels have not been confirmed through proper legal channels.

The group concluded by calling on the judiciary and the Federal Government to uphold constitutional values, including the right to a fair trial, regardless of political or ideological affiliations.