The Appeal Court of Nigeria will announce its decision on whether the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should still be classified as a terrorist organization within the next 90 days. Aloy Ejimakor, the lawyer representing IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, confirmed this timeline recently.

The Federal Government designated IPOB as a terrorist group six years ago during the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari. The government claimed that IPOB was involved in various acts of violence and terrorism in the Southeast region. This official designation was made on September 20, 2017, and it led to a ban on IPOB’s activities in Nigeria.

On Thursday, the Appeal Court in Abuja reserved its judgment after both the Federal Government and IPOB presented their final arguments. The court’s panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka, is considering IPOB’s request to overturn a previous ruling by the late Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati, which had declared IPOB’s activities illegal in Nigeria back in 2017.

The outcome of this case is crucial for IPOB, as it seeks to lift the terrorist designation that has significantly impacted its operations and perception in Nigeria.

Reacting, Ejimakor posted on X: “Today, the 6-year quest to reverse the designation of #IPOB as a terror group ended at the Court of Appeal where the appeal was FINALLY heard on the merits, despite a veiled maneuver to force another adjournment.

“Judgment is expected within the next 90 days, as mandated by law.”