The Court of Appeal in Abuja has confirmed the Federal Government’s decision to label the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist group. On Thursday, the court stated there were no valid reasons to overturn the earlier ruling, which outlawed the group’s activities in Nigeria.

The appeal was heard by a three-judge panel led by Justice Hamma Barka, who agreed with the Federal High Court’s decision made in 2017. The court stated that the Federal Government was justified in its decision to ban IPOB due to the threat it posed to national security.

This ruling follows the initial order by the late Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati of the Federal High Court on September 15, 2017, who declared IPOB illegal. The decision was based on a motion filed by the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami. The court not only banned the group’s activities but also prohibited anyone from participating in its operations. The ruling was required to be published in the official gazette and national newspapers.

IPOB appealed the decision, arguing that it was unfairly targeted and that it labeled over 30 million Nigerians of Igbo descent as terrorists. However, the Appeal Court dismissed the appeal, stating that the reasons presented by IPOB were without merit.

With this decision, the proscription order stands, and the Federal Government’s actions against IPOB remain in effect, as the group continues to be viewed as a threat to the country’s peace and security.