Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka
Human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has declared that the sacrifices and achievements of Prof. Mike Ozekhome in the legal battle to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention must not be buried under what he described as the “shallow grave of ingratitude.”
Ejiofor condemned recent attacks on Ozekhome, describing the critics as enemies of Nnamdi Kanu—individuals who, according to him, are benefiting from Kanu’s continued incarceration.
In a strongly worded statement, Ejiofor emphasized that Ozekhome’s contributions are not matters of speculation but are verifiable and grounded in legal history.
“It is a matter of verifiable history. From the outset, at the Federal High Court, where the original 15-count charge against Nnamdi Kanu was challenged, eight counts were struck out based on our objections. Dissatisfied with the remaining seven charges, Prof. Ozekhome led the legal team to the Court of Appeal. On October 13, 2022, the appellate court, in a unanimous judgment, discharged and acquitted Nnamdi Kanu of those remaining charges,” he stated.
He noted that all these victories were secured within a single year—a feat he attributed to Ozekhome’s legal acumen, diligence, and unwavering commitment to justice.
“These are not mere tales; they are tangible legal victories. Even after the resumption of Kanu’s trial, those earlier eight counts have never resurfaced. That speaks volumes about the integrity of the legal process led by Prof. Ozekhome,” Ejiofor said.
He decried what he termed the growing trend of malicious misinformation, stating that Ozekhome’s reputation is being attacked “with the stroke of a keyboard” in an environment where the line between truth and falsehood is increasingly blurred.
“Many of the recent attacks on Prof. Ozekhome are not born of honest disagreement but are rather the calculated handiwork of manipulation orchestrated by individuals and groups who profit from division and confusion,” he said.
He further suggested that some of the so-called “authors” of defamatory statements against Ozekhome may not even be aware of how or when such materials, bearing their names, are published in the public domain.
Ejiofor reaffirmed his confidence in Ozekhome’s integrity and the commitment of the legal team to pursue justice for Nnamdi Kanu, undeterred by detractors.
