Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
A Labour Party (LP) chieftain and former House of Representatives candidate, Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, alleging persistent death threats from individuals he describes as “political enforcers” in Ebonyi State.
Ezeh, who contested the Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency seat in the 2023 elections, said the alleged threats followed his public comments on governance and political developments in the state.
The suit, marked CV/4130/25, lists two individuals — Felix Okemini (alias Jango), described as an aide to Governor Francis Nwifuru, and Sunday Ogbonnia (alias Bakassi) — as respondents. The Inspector-General of Police is also joined to ensure law enforcement oversight and compliance with any orders the court may grant.
Citing Sections 33, 38, 39 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Ezeh is asking the court to declare the alleged threats a violation of his rights to life, liberty, dignity, and freedom of expression.
In an affidavit in support of the suit, he said the threats had made it “impossible to live freely without fear of being harmed,” and urged the court to intervene to protect his fundamental freedoms.
Ezeh, in a separate statement, said he turned to the courts rather than engage in confrontation.
“I refuse to be dragged into the gutters. We are a country governed by laws, and I have chosen the legal path rather than succumb to intimidation. No man will stand idle while his life and that of his family are threatened,” he said.
He likened the alleged attacks to the dishonour King Odysseus faced on his return home, claiming his critics hoped he would “run and never return.”
Ezeh added that attempts to resolve the matter amicably collapsed “under painful circumstances,” leaving him with no option but to seek judicial protection. He said the threats intensify whenever he comments publicly on governance issues in the state, which he believes underscores a political motive.
A date is yet to be fixed for hearing the originating motion, but his legal team is seeking urgent protective orders to restrain the respondents from further harassment or interference.
