The attempt to reverse the proscription and declaration that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a terrorists group was on Thursday thrown out.
The bid to have the proscription reversed was filed by IPOB at a Federal High Court in Abuja.
But ruling on the case, the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abdul Adamu Kafarati, said the proscription of the group was legal.
Kafarati, granted the order proscribing IPOB in September last year following an application filed and moved by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The judge granted all the prayers brought before him by the justice minister.
Malami had asked the court to declare that the activities of IPOB in any part of Nigeria, especially the South-east and South-south of Nigeria, was an act of terrorism.
He also asked the court to proscribe the body.
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Malami asked the court for an order restraining any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of IPOB under any other name or platform howsoever called or described.
Granting Malami’s application, the judge said: “Upon reading through the affidavit I support, certificate on compliance with Section 84 of the Evidence Act 2011 both sworn to by CPL Kolawole Mathew of the Nigerian Army and written address attached thereto all dated and filed at the court registry, Abuja.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: That the application is granted as prayed.
“That an order declaring that the activities of the respondent (IPOB) in any part of Nigeria, especially in the South-east and South-south regions of Nigeria, amount to acts of terrorism and illegality, is granted.
“That an order proscribing the existence of the IPOB in any part of Nigeria, especially in the South-east and South-south regions of Nigeria, either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called and publishing same in the official gazette and two national dailies is granted.
“That an order restraining any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the respondent (IPOB) under any name of platform however called or destined, is granted.”
The order was signed by the court’s registrar Babatunde Ashada.