Human rights lawyer and counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has described as hasty and lacking in proper investigation the statement by Amnesty International Nigeria accusing IPOB of being responsible for the recent killings in Okigwe,Imo state.
In a statement released on Monday and made available to our reporter 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.”
Upon a careful review of Amnesty International Nigeria’s statement, Ejiofor pointed out several inconsistencies and troubling lapses:
Areas faults:
Questionable Source of Casualty Figures:
Amnesty International Nigeria reported specific casualty figures without disclosing any independently verified sources. This deviates from their well-established protocol, which typically relies on independent investigations that may take days or even weeks before arriving at conclusions.
Premature Attribution of Blame:
While the police acknowledged the attack, they refrained from confirming the exact number of casualties or the identity of the attackers. Amnesty International’s conclusive link to IPOB therefore appears speculative and unsubstantiated.
Potential Conflict of Interest:
Concerns have also been raised about the neutrality of the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, who previously held a political appointment as Special Assistant to the Governor of Yobe State. This dual role casts a shadow over the objectivity of the organisation’s reporting.
Ongoing Threats in the Region:
It is well known that remnants of armed elements loyal to Simon Ekpa continue to destabilize communities across the Southeast. While this is a pressing security concern that requires urgent state intervention, it does not justify the rushed attribution of blame without due diligence.
In conclusion, Ejiofor said that it is imperative for both national and international stakeholders to demand a credible, unbiased, and fact-driven investigation into the Okigwe killings.
“The loss of innocent lives must not be politicized or sensationalized. 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 in our democracy. Only the truth, firmly established through rigorous investigation, can pave the path to justice and lasting peace,” he said.
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