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Tag: Ifeanyi Ejiofor

Lawyer: closure of Onitsha market is punishment of traders

Human rights lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has condemned the shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market by Governor Charles Soludo, describing it as a form of collective punishment against innocent traders and law-abiding citizens.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ejiofor insisted that the continued enforcement of the so-called Monday sit-at-home has no legal, moral, or ideological basis, stressing that the directive was long cancelled by IPOB.

He noted that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had “formally, expressly, and unequivocally” withdrawn the directive.

The lawyer argued that shutting down an entire economic nerve centre in response to criminal threats amounts to punishing productivity while emboldening those responsible for violence.

He said, “Security governance, if it is to deserve the name, must be precise, intelligence-driven, and squarely targeted at the actual architects and executors of violence.

“To shutter an entire market is neither strategic nor just.”

According to Ejiofor, any violence or coercion currently associated with sit-at-home orders cannot be attributed to IPOB or any legitimate protest movement.

Rather, he argued, such acts represent a “criminal resurrection of a dead directive,” allegedly hijacked and violently enforced by lawless elements.

The lawyer stated, “What followed was not civil disobedience, not political protest, and certainly not ideological resistance.

“It is a parasitic enterprise, feeding off intimidation, coercion, and the deliberate manufacture of terror among innocent citizens.”

Ejiofor said the decision to close the Onitsha Main Market, one of the largest commercial hubs in the Southeast, was deeply troubling and counterproductive.

He said, “It is against this backdrop that the decision to shut down the Onitsha Main Market must be interrogated with sobriety, proportionality, and an unflinching fidelity to the rule of law.

Read Also: Expectant woman dies, seven injured during Onitsha market clash

“Collective punishment of traders and law-abiding citizens, who are themselves hostages of fear, cannot, and must not, masquerade as security policy.”

Ejiofor warned that policies which blur the line between criminality and legitimate commerce risk producing the opposite of their intended effect, strengthening the hand of violent actors while penalising innocent enterprise.

He reiterated that the Monday sit-at-home no longer exists in any legitimate sense and should not be used as justification for actions that deepen economic hardship and public fear.

“The Monday sit-at-home enjoys no legitimacy, commands no authority, and possesses no justification whatsoever – legal, moral, or otherwise,” Ejiofor said.

January 27, 2026
Lawyer urges Southeast to unite against criminals

A lawyer, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged the Southeast to rise collectively against criminals.

He said those arrested over the attack in which gunmen killed two security operatives and five residents in Ihiala, Anambra State, must be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice.

He noted that the self-confessed killer in a viral clip appears to be an indigene of Ihiala while his accomplices may be residents.

He said the fact they may not be hiding in remote forests as previously assumed underscores the need for greater community vigilance.

Ejiofor said: “While publicising this confession helps raise awareness about the culprits terrorising our land, I believe making it viral at this stage may be premature. These individuals are criminals and should be treated as such. They are not freedom fighters or defenders of any cause – they are agents of chaos, darkness and destruction.

Read Also: 2026: Group kicks over alleged opposition to zoning governorship ticket to Osun West

“The tendency to prematurely but mischievously associate every violent crime in the Southeast with IPOB/ESN, even before the commencement of investigation and without thorough investigations, weakens citizens’ participation in combating our common enemies who thrive on fear and bloodshed.

“Security must not be left solely to government agencies. Communities must actively identify and confront these criminal elements to restore peace. Investigations should inform appropriate unbiased classifications of offenders.

“No true Igbo or Biafran will align with these heartless criminals who kill, maim, and kidnap their own people. They are soulless and should face justice for their actions.

“Effective collaboration between citizens and security agencies is essential. It eliminates political compromises, fosters proactive responses, and significantly curbs violent crimes in our communities.

“We pray for the eradication of these bad elements, guided by strong political will. May God heal our land and restore peace to Ihiala, Anambra and the entire Southeast, Amen.

“Let us all rise to the challenge, take responsibility for our security, and work together to reclaim the sanctity of our communities. United, we can overcome.”

January 14, 2025
Why it’s dangerous to arm FRSC officials, by lawyer

A lawyer, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has faulted the proposed Bill seeking to legally allow men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to carry arms.

He said the Bill “is deeply troubling and should be rejected” as it will be dangerous to arm the men.

According to him, the attempt to turn a civilian agency responsible for traffic management into an armed force poses a serious risk to public safety and threatens to escalate violence on roads.

Ejiofor said in a statement: “We have already witnessed the tragic consequences of armed officials misusing their power.

“Instances of trigger-happy law enforcement officers have marred the nation’s peace, leading to the needless loss of innocent lives.

“Majority of them have turned their various checkpoints across the states into mobile ATMs.

“Oftentimes, non-compliance with their illegitimate demand to part with one’s hard-earned stipends at their various checkpoints usually leads to the untimely death of citizens.

“Allowing the FRSC to carry guns will only increase the likelihood of such tragic incidents.

“We also need to think about the psychological impact of arming road safety officials.

“The main duties of the FRSC as clearly defined under the law establishing the agency, are to guide, educate, and enforce traffic regulations in a calm, orderly manner; not to incite fear or foster an environment of intimidation.

Read Also: A timeline of Nigeria’s national grid collapses in 2024

“When we are deliberately raising the possibility of violence on our highways, how can we say that we are protecting public safety?

“Instead of arming the FRSC, the FRSC should invest in contemporary technology, improved training, and coordination with security agencies to address the underlying causes of insecurity.

“Hence, I urge all well-meaning citizens to reject this bill in its entirety.

“The focus should be to ensure our roads remain a place of safety, not a battlefield.

“It is imperative that lawmakers and other elected leaders focus on pressing issues bedevilling the country!”

October 21, 2024
IPOB: Lawyer seeks Fani-Kayode, Abaribe’s probe over Kanu’s escape

The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to mandate the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to investigate and prosecute former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe and others over their alleged involvement in how Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) escaped from the country.

The request formed part of the reliefs in a suit filed, on October 31, this year, by a lawyer, Isaiah Ayugu, who said he was concerned about the turn of event and the damage the scandal about Kanu’s disappearance and the claim that the Nigerian sate was responsible have had on the nation’s image both at home and abroad.

The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1254/18, has the Director General of the SSS, the SSS, the Inspector general of Police (IGP) and the NPF as respondents.

Ayugu argued that by recently revelation that Kanu was in Israel, it was evident that Fani-Kayode, Abaribe, Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and others, who had accused the Nigerian Army of being behind Kanu’s disappearance, knew about the IPOB leader’s escape from Nigeria.

The plaintiff stated, in a supporting affidavit, “that the said Nnamdi Kanu, the so called self-acclaimed leader of IPOB, da group that has long been proscribed and designated a terrorist group, is alive and was seen in Israel from where he called a world press conference and made a live broadcast of his new and renewed agenda for his group.

“In the broadcast, Kanu boasted that he will bring ‘hell to Nigeria.’ It is therefore clear that, whilst Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Femi Fani-Kayode, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Tochukwu Uchendu, Emmanuel Shallow Ben, Emmanuel Kanu, Uchechi Kanu, leaders of Afaraukwu community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia state, the different civil liberty organisations and media practitioners and so many others too numerous to mention were making several dangerous claims that Nnamdi Kanu has been killed, abducted or being held by the Army, they were aware that he was actually out of the country, by their collective or respective assistance, from where he resurfaced in video clips of him praying in Israel and subsequent video broadcast.

“Because Senator Abaribe took Nnamdi Kanu on bail, the case against Nnamdi Kanu has not seen the light of the day as Nnamdi Kanu has now jumped bail.”

The plaintiff particularly seeks an order of mandamus, mandating the respondents “to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Nnamdi Kanu from Nigeria when, in fact, the Nigerian Army was accused of abducting, arresting, kidnapping, killing and assassinating him.

“An order mandating the respondents to prosecute all persons suspected or indicted of involvement in aiding Nnamdi Kanu to evade justice.”

The plaintiff also seeks “an order mandating the respondents to investigate and prosecute Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Femi Fani-Kayode, Tochukwu Uchendu, Emmanuel Shallow Ben, Emmanuel Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and all those who worked together to propagate and spread the inciting lies and falsehood that Nnamdi Kanu was abducted, arrested, kidnapped, detained, killed and assassinated by the Nigerian military, when indeed they were well aware of Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts, because they played roles in helping Nnamdi Kanu disappear from Nigeria.”

The case is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing.

November 1, 2018
Breaking: Court refuses to reverse IPOB’s proscription

A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by the proscribed group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) challenging the order banning it.

Justice Adamu Kafarati, in a ruling on an application by the group, held that the proscription order made ex-parte on September 20 last year was validly made.

Read Also: Court Proscription of IPOB not enough- Yerima

Justice Kafarati held that IPOB’s application, seeking the vacation of the proscription order was unmeritorious and deserved to be dismissed.

The judge awarded N500,000 cost against IPOB.

The group’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor thanked the judge for his ruling, but said he will appeal the decision.

Details later

January 18, 2018
IPOB: Kanu sues Chief of Army Staff

…Seeks order compelling Buratai to produce him in court

Leader of the pro-Biafra group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja for an order of Habeas Corpus ad subjiciendum, commanding the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Tukur Buratai to produce him in court.

The request is contained in a suit filed in his name yesterday by some lawyers led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor. The suit is marked; FHC/ABJ/CS/908/2017.

Part of the grounds stated for the request include that Kanu has not been seen since some soldiers allegedly invaded his house on September 14, during which shots were fired and people dead and some wounded.

The plaintiff stated that Kanu, who was in the house during this bloody onslaught by the Soldiers, has not been heard from or seen after this bloody attack in his home by the agents of the respondent (COAS) since the 14^th day of September 2017.

“The invading soldiers in their desperate bid to ensure that the applicant (Kanu) is caught in the attack climbed stairs to his bedroom upstairs to shot him; walls of his bedroom were riddled with bullets.

“The invading s,oldiers who had direct contact with the applicant on this fateful day (14^th day of September 2017) should be in a position to produce the Applicant before the court. It is either the Respondent’s rampaging Soldiers abducted the Applicant during this raid or must have killed him in the process.

“Section 40 of the Federal High Court Act empowers this court to order that a writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum be issued on the respondent, to produce the applicant in Court, particularly now that his substantive criminal trial is coming up on the 17^th day of October, 2017.

The plaintiff stated, in a supporting affidavit, gave details of what allegedly occurred during the attack on Kanu’s residence and the circumstances leading to his purported disappearance.

A lawyer, Mandela Umegborogu, said he learnt from Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanueal “that the soldiers who also drove in a purpose-built sophisticated armored personnel carrier, fired live bullets on the relatives of the Applicant, leaving scores brutally wounded, and arrested many.

“During the bloody attack/invasion of the applicant’s home, scores were killed and others forced to abandon their sleep and run for cover in nearby bushes, which include nursing mothers, pregnant women, children and the aged.

“On that same day, the 12^th day of September, 2017, dozens of supporters of the Applicant who were on a courtesy visit to him, were also barricaded at Isialangwa and tortured on the same day.

“The applicant was emotionally traumatized and visibly tortured on account of heavy causalities recorded in this unprovoked attack from the invading Soldiers.

“On the 14^th day of September, 2017, the Nigerian soldiers invaded the applicant’s home for the second time, unfortunately on a brutal but murderous raid that left 28 persons dead, and over 48 arrested and taken away to an unknown destination.

“The applicant was sitting right inside his bedroom when the Soldiers invaded his home. The soldiers in their desperate efforts to ensure that the applicant who is their main target is gunned down, climbed the stairs to his bedroom upstairs to shot him.

“The wall of the applicant’s bedroom is riddled with bullets holes till date. Attached and marked as Exhibits EK1, EK2, EK3, EK4, EK5 EK6, EK7 and EK8 are photographs showing with sufficient clarity the impacts of this assault on the Applicant’s home.

“The by virtue of this contact the soldiers had with the Applicant in his room on this 14^th day of September 2017, the soldiers must know where the Applicant is, his fate and state of health.

“The rampaging Soldiers busted into the room of the Applicant in the course of this bloody attack and shoot at everything on sight, including living objects. Attached and variously marked Exhibits EK9, EK10, EK11, EK12, EK13 and EK14, are the photographs and video footage evidencing this dastardly attack on the home of the applicant, including the bullets holes in his bedroom.

“The Respondent and his agents are fully aware that the applicant will return to court on the 17^th of October 2017 to stand for his trial in the case above mentioned.

“The applicant has never been invited by any security Agency to response to any criminal allegation before this unprovoked bloody assault in his home.

“The murderous raid in the home of the Applicant is targeted at eliminating him and not to arrest him.

“If the intention of the Respondent was to arrest the Applicant, they would have quietly done that without killing unarmed and defenseless civilian populace found in the Applicant’s house.

“Prior to the bloody onslaught on the Applicant’s house, the Applicant has never been invited by any Security Agency for any investigation. The Applicant was never invited by the Respondent’s office for investigation on allegation of any crime, at any time before the attack in his house.

“The applicant and the members of IPOB are non-violent and unarmed group, agitating for their right to self-determination. IPOB do not carry arms neither are they into any form of armed struggle, and do not have history of violence.”

September 27, 2017
IPOB urges court to set aside proscription order

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja should set aside the order of injunction proscribing the activities of the group.

Recall that the Chief Judge of the Federal High, Justice Abdu Kafarati, on Wednesday in Abuja, granted Federal Government an interim injunction proscribing activities of the group.

Kafarati granted the injunction in chambers after the Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, had approached the court with an exparte motion urging the court to do so.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier given written approval for the proscription of the group, pending legal process.

Governors of the Southeast states took the first step to ban the activities of the group after the military had declared it a militant terrorist group.

NAN reports that Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to IPOB, led Maxwell Okpara, Chinwe Umeche, Habila Turshak, P. M. Umegborogu and Augustine Ezeokeke to file the process on behalf of the group.

The motion, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/871/17 was brought pursuant to Section 6(6) (1) (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011.

It was also brought under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation was listed as respondent.

The applicant averred that the grounds upon which the application was brought hinged on the fact that the Sept.20 exparte order made against it by the court was without jurisdiction.

The lead counsel said the order granted against the entity was unknown to law.

Ejiofor posited that there were clear suppression and misrepresentation of facts in the AGF’s affidavit evidence, pursuance to which the order was granted.

“The order is unconstitutional, as it was made in clear violation of constitutionally guaranteed right of the Indigenous People of Biafra to self-determination.

“It also violated Article 20(1) of the Africa Charter on Human & Peoples Rights, now domesticated into our law under (Ratification and Enforcement Act) (Cap 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

“It ran against the right to fair hearing, right to freedom of expression and the press.

“It further violated the right to peaceful assembly and association clearly provided for under sections 36, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as (Amended) 2011,’’ Ejiofor said.

According to him, a declaratory order cannot be made pursuant to an exparte application without hearing from the party against whom the order is made.

He submitted that the Indigenous People of Biafra who were majorly of Igbo extraction had no history of violence in exercising their right to self-determination.

“The Indigenous People of Biafra does not carry arms and has no history of arms struggle in the exercise of its constitutionally guaranteed right to self-determination.

“Prior and during the military invasion of the South Eastern states, IPOB members had never at any time resorted to arm struggle or engage in acts of violence capable of threatening national security.

Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High Court No 4 had in her ruling delivered on March 1 held that the Indigenous People of Biafra was not an unlawful organisation.”

Ejiofor further said that Justice Nyako’s decision still subsisted as it was not appealed against to be set aside by any appellate court.

NAN reports that the matter is yet to be assigned to any judge of the court.

September 22, 2017
We are working to perfect Kanu’s bail – Lawyer

The Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is yet to perfect his bail two days after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail.

The Nation learnt that Kanu’s lawyers are battling frantically to secure his freedom by Friday afternoon.

His lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, told The Nation that the legal team was doing everything within its powers to secure freedom for Kanu.

He, however, did not rule out the option of approaching the court for a variation of the bail conditions should the need arises.

“We are still on it. We have met some of the conditions but not all. By mid-day tomorrow (Friday) we shall have a clear picture of what the situation is and what further steps to be taken.

“We are working assiduously to ensure that he regains his freedom,” Ejiofor on Thursday.

April 27, 2017
Court rules on Kanu’s bail application April 25

The Federal High Court sitting Abuja will on April 25 rule on whether or not the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and three others, should be granted bail.

Justice Binta Nyako gave the date after hearing arguments from counsel to Kanu and three co-defendants – Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

Counsel to Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in his argument, told the court that the proof of evidence filed by the prosecution against his client was not strong enough to warrant his continued detention.

He said the proof of evidence is empty and not strong enough to sustain the charge against his client, adding that his health is deteriorating.

The counsel said, “We have attached nine exhibits to our application; one of them is an order of this court made by your learned colleague, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, that he be granted bail which has not been complied with.

“We also attached a letter we wrote to the Controller-General of Prisons informing him of an attempt to terminate the life of the defendant.

“Canisters of tear gas were left in his cell which he inhaled and this has affected his lungs and he can barely stand and if not released on bail, his health will get worse in prison.”

He acknowledged that bail was at the discretion of the court, urging the judge to exercise the discretion in favour of his client in the most liberal terms.

NAN

March 20, 2017
Biafra: Kanu ‘willing’ to negotiate with FG

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu on Friday disclosed that his group, IPOB, is willing to negotiate with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to end the agitation for self-governance.

The IPOB leader made this known through his lawyers, led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Amoebi Nzelu, while reacting to the government’s decision on Thursday to release some members of the group who were arrested in February.

According to his lawyers, Kanu said they were not opposed to talks with the government.

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August 12, 2016