IPOB Lawyer, Ejiofor, Demands Release of 24 Members In DSS’ Custody

Mr. Nnaemeka Ejiofor, one of the lawyers to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called on the Federal Government to immediately effect the release of 24 members of the group being held by security operatives.

Consequently, Ejiofor has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to wade into the ordeals of his clients by ordering security agencies to press charges against them in a law court.
Ejiofor claimed that the detainees were adopted in some States of the South East geo-political zone and had been detained since 2021.
Ejiofor accused DSS of violating the fundamental rights of the detainees, stressing that most of them, especially the clergymen, were innocent but were unlawfully arrested in their various Churches.
He alleged that some were nabbed in the night, making it difficult for families of the detainees to ascertain the identities of the security operatives.
The IPOB counsel appealed to the DSS to arraign the detainees in law courts if found liable rather than keeping them in unknown detention facilities in violation of the 1999 Constitution.
“At a point, we were told that they had been moved to a Military Camp in Kainji where Boko Haram terrorists are being kept, but unfortunately, all findings on our part yielded no fruitful results.
“As I am addressing you, I can confirm that since 2021, when my clients were unlawfully arrested, no one has been allowed to see or access them. “Our security agents should do their work diligently and by provisions of the law.
“We are not in a Banana republic. We are in a democratic era, and everything we do, including our security agencies, must comply with our laws.
Addressing the press on Monday, the Ejiofor disclosed that concerted efforts made in a bid to locate and interface with the detained IPOB members had been rebuffed by the Department of State Services.
Worst still, the lawyer alleged that the military authorities and the DSS believed to be responsible for the ordeal of his clients have been giving conflicting and confusing information on the whereabouts of the persons.
“While the DSS claims that the detainees are in military custody, the army authorities deposed to an affidavit at the High Court that no member of IPOB was in their custody.
Ikechukwu Henry,Joy Godwin Udoh, Emeka Ngomadi, Barrister Pius Awoke, Chinedum Nwoha, Igwe Johnson Dike, Ogbonna Joseph Ajah, Kingsley Onovu, Ogbonna David Kenneth Ojima and Fortune Okerie.
Others are Joseph Okafor Eze, Emmanuel Onyibe Chinonso, Uket Godwin, Ogbonna Christian Ndubusi, Eze Ernest Chukwuemeka, Ibeleme Tochukwu, Emmanuel Ike, Reverend Cletus Egole, Pastor Phillip Chinedu Egole, Chinonso Anyanwu, Kelechi Okeke, Godspower Chilemu and Chukwuma Nwaokike.
The media briefing was attended by wives, children, and relatives of the detainees.