In a landmark ruling today, the Federal High Court discharged and acquitted 50 South-Eastern Nigerians who had been unlawfully detained since December 2023 under allegations of terrorism. The court found that there was insufficient evidence to support the charges, declaring the detention as illegal and a violation of their fundamental rights.
The individuals, primarily from the South-East region, had been arrested and held by the authorities based on vague and unsubstantiated claims linking them to terrorist activities. Despite prolonged detention without trial, their legal team tirelessly fought to ensure justice prevailed.
The ruling today came after months of legal battles and intense advocacy by human rights organizations, which highlighted the arbitrary nature of the detentions and the lack of due process. The court further emphasized that the state had failed to provide credible evidence linking the detainees to terrorism, thus ruling that they were unlawfully incarcerated.
Reacting to the decision, one of the defense attorneys expressed relief and called the judgment a significant victory for justice and human rights. "This ruling is a testament to the power of the rule of law. These individuals were detained without any credible evidence, and today, justice has been served," said the attorney.
The acquittal of the 50 detainees raises important questions about the adherence to human rights and the rule of law, particularly regarding detention practices and the treatment of individuals from marginalized communities in the country.