After four long years behind bars, 24 men who were arrested for supporting Biafra have finally been freed by an Ebonyi State High Court.

They were arrested on May 24, 2020, and had been on trial for conspiracy and treason. But on Thursday, July 17, 2025, the court said they should never have been tried again in the first place.

Justice I.P. Chima, who gave the ruling, agreed with the defence lawyers. They had argued that these men were already cleared by other courts in Ebonyi State. Since the law doesn’t allow someone to be tried twice for the same crime, the case should not have continued.

This legal rule is called “double jeopardy,” and it is protected by Section 36(9) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. It means no one can be charged again for something they’ve already been cleared of.

The judge described their long time in prison as unlawful and ordered that they be released immediately.

Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead lawyer for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), said the court’s decision was a big win. He praised the judiciary for finally correcting the injustice.

Ejiofor explained that the men had been charged with the same accusations multiple times, even though five different High Courts in Ebonyi had already found them not guilty.

He also asked the Ebonyi State Government to help the released men by giving them support and compensation. He noted that the time they spent in jail had caused deep pain and hardship for their families.

Even though justice was delayed, Ejiofor said it wasn’t denied. He described the day as a moment of victory after years of suffering.

“The light of justice has finally pierced the clouds of oppression,” he said.