Human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has criticised a recent report by Amnesty International Nigeria on the Okigwe killings, describing it as “hasty and riddled with inconsistencies.” He has called for a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation into the incident.
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The statement comes in the wake of a gruesome attack in Imo State, where unidentified gunmen ambushed and killed several travellers along the Okigwe Road. The incident has since drawn widespread condemnation and calls for justice, including from international rights groups.
Amnesty International Nigeria, in a recent statement, appeared to link the killings to IPOB elements — a position Mr Ejiofor strongly refutes, citing a lack of credible evidence.
“The quick attribution of the killings to IPOB, without exhaustive verification, raises serious concerns about the integrity and neutrality of the Amnesty International report,” Ejiofor said in a statement released on Tuesday.
He faulted the report for failing to adhere to the global rights group’s usual protocols, which he said emphasise detailed, independent investigations that often span days or weeks before drawing conclusions.
“Amnesty International Nigeria reported specific casualty figures without disclosing any independent verification sources. This departs from their well-established protocol,” Ejiofor noted.
According to him, even the Nigerian police, who confirmed the attack, have yet to verify the number of victims or identify the perpetrators. He described Amnesty’s conclusion as “speculative and unsubstantiated.”
While condemning the killings, which he described as “heinous” and “heartless,” Ejiofor emphasised that no individual or group has the constitutional authority to take another’s life without due process, referencing Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution.
“The sanctity of human life must remain inviolable. 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 according to the law,” he said.
Ejiofor also raised concerns about potential bias within Amnesty International Nigeria, questioning the objectivity of the Country Director, whom he claimed previously held a political appointment as a Special Assistant to the Governor of Yobe State.
“This dual role casts a shadow over the objectivity of the organisation’s reporting,” Ejiofor asserted, describing the link between such affiliations and the framing of narratives in politically sensitive cases as “troubling.”
The lawyer also highlighted the ongoing security challenges posed by armed elements allegedly loyal to Finland-based Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, warning against lumping such actions under IPOB without clear distinctions.
“It is a well-known fact that remnants of armed elements loyal to Simon Ekpa continue to destabilise communities across the South-East. While this remains a serious security concern demanding state intervention, it should not justify rushed attributions of blame,” he said.
Ejiofor urged national and international stakeholders to insist on a credible, fact-driven probe into the Okigwe tragedy, stressing that justice must be rooted in truth and due process, not speculation or political expediency.
“The loss of innocent lives must not be politicised or sensationalised. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done — both to honour the victims and to safeguard the rule of law,” he concluded.
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