The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the application by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) challenging its proscription by the court as a terrorist organisation.
The acting chief judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati on Thursday, held that the application was properly brought before the court as an exparte motion by the Attorney-General.
He also ruled that the rights of fair hearing and freedom of association of IPOB was not abused because all that was needed for such an application to be heard was the approval of the president which was properly gotten.
Subsequently, Justice Kafarati asked the secessionist group to pay the Attorney-General a fine of N500 only.
Counsel to IPOB, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, however, argued that the ruling will be challenged at the Appeal Court.
The Federal Government had in a chamber seating obtained a proscription order against IPOB declaring it a terrorist organisation after an altercation between the Nigerian Army and members of IPOB led by Mr Nnamdi Kanu.