JUST IN: IPOB: Court orders release of protesting women, strikes out case

A magistrate court in Owerri had ordered their detention. This sparked widespread criticism. At the court on Friday, Ejiofor Uche, lead counsel to the women, filed a bail application which was not opposed. Thaddeus Okey, police prosecutor, said the force was not represented in court because the matter had been referred to the state ministry of justice for legal counsel and decision. According to Okey, the police had no powers in whatever decision that was subsequently taken by the court. The court had granted the bail application and freed the women unconditionally. In an interview on Friday, the lawyer representing the women, Sam Amadi, confirmed their release, saying they were let off following a directive of the Imo State director of public prosecution. “Yes, they have been released. The DPP gave a directive for the case against them to be struck out, earlier today and we took it to the magistrate, along with the detained women. The court ordered the immediate release of the women. All them who came to the court were released from there. “Only about 12 of them who were not in this prison are expected to be released from the Okigwe prison where they are held. The case has also been struck out,” Mr Amadi said.]]>