Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Human rights lawyer and counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has condemned what he described as hasty conclusion and accusation of IPOB as being responsible for the killings in Okigwe LGA, Imo State.
Ejiofor said the accusation by the Amnesty International Nigeria against the Pro-Biafra group lacked proper investigation.
In a statement made available to journalists in Awka, Anambra State, Ejiofor said that the premature release of such a statement underscores the urgent need for a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation into the incident.
According to him, the quick attribution of the killings to IPOB without exhaustive verification raises serious concerns about the integrity and neutrality of the report.
He said that the approach does not align with the expected standards of a globally respected human rights organization.
The statement reads: “In light of the recent hasty statement issued by Amnesty International Nigeria on the Okigwe killings, it is imperative to underscore the need for a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation.
“The quick attribution of the killings to IPOB, without exhaustive verification, raises serious concerns about the integrity and neutrality of the report. This approach does not align with the expected standards of a globally respected human rights organisation.
“It must be unequivocally stated that no individual or authority, regardless of their constitutional powers, is permitted to take another’s life outside the due process enshrined in Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The sanctity of human life must remain inviolable.
“I therefore strongly condemn the killing of innocent travellers by yet-to-be-identified heartless perpetrators, beasts in human form who have lost all connection to humanity. I call on Nigeria’s security agencies to promptly and meticulously investigate these heinous crimes and ensure that those responsible are identified, apprehended, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. The security agencies must stop paying lip service, as they often do, and instead conduct a thorough investigation into these dastardly and wanton killings.”
Ejiofor stated that a careful review of Amnesty International Nigeria’s statement on the Okigwe killings revealed several inconsistencies and troubling lapses.
He specifically noted that the organization reported casualty figures without disclosing independently verified sources, which deviates from their usual protocol of conducting thorough investigations before arriving at conclusions.
Ejiofor expressed concern over the speculative nature of Amnesty International’s conclusion linking the incident to IPOB, especially given the police’s cautious approach in confirming details of the attack. He also questioned the neutrality of Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director due to a past political appointment, suggesting this could compromise the organization’s objectivity.
Furthermore, Ejiofor highlighted the ongoing threats in the region posed by remnants of armed elements loyal to Simon Ekpa, emphasizing the need for state intervention. However, he stressed that this does not justify hasty blame attribution without proper investigation.
He called for a credible, unbiased, and fact-driven investigation into the Okigwe killings, urging both national and international stakeholders to demand accountability and thoroughness in the process.
