By Adadareporters
David Onyema, Uche Adiele and Victor Isaiah detained since 2021 on charges of Biafra activism have regained their freedom.
Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra, stated this in a post.
According to him, “After a fierce legal battle that lasted nearly three years, the baseless and fabricated 5charges against Ezigbo UmuChineke have been completely dismantled, resulting in a triumphant outcome!”
He stated that the trio were on February 18, 2021 ‘unjustly apprehended by overzealous Nigerian security agents in Umuahia, Abia State’, adding that, “They were subsequently brought before the Umuahia High Court, on a FIVE COUNT CHARGE including CONSPIRACY, ARMED ROBBERY, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS, and TERRORISM RELATED OFFENCES, as stipulated by Sections 6(b), 2(2)(a), 2(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act CAP R11 Laws of The Federation, 2004, and Section 16(1) and Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.”
Ejiofor continued that, “These innocent men were arrested and subsequently charged on the smokescreen 5-count charge, simply because they passed in front of a Police Station after the curfew in the State; and because one of them was allegedly putting on an IPOB cap and black cloth, and had bottles of drink in his bag.
“Despite our initial application for bail being rejected by the court, which insisted on proceeding with a full trial, we persevered throughout the trial process. The prosecution presented their witnesses to support their case, while we diligently presented a strong defence against these unfounded charges.
“On 24th day of October, 2023, High Court of Justice, sitting in Umuahia, Court No. 6, Per: Hon Justice Chido Nwakanma, delivered a LANDMARK JUDGMENT in this case. The court discharged and acquitted these three innocent Biafrans, who have been in custody since February 18, 2021. They have gone home as free men.”
