By Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq.
Today, I pause with a heart full of solemn gratitude, deeply moved by the enduring mercy of God and the reward of sacrifice. In this quiet moment of reflection, the past four years defined by a relentless legal battle to free the Ebonyi 36 unfold before me like a reel, marked by unyielding struggle, steadfast hope, and divine grace.
It has been a gruelling legal odyssey ,one I personally undertook in defence of 36 innocent sons of Ebonyi, whose voices were nearly silenced by systemic oppression. Each court date became a pilgrimage for justice. I flew from Abuja to Ebonyi, often with nothing but sheer conviction and faith as my companions. I could not afford to leave anything to chance.
How disheartening it was to endure marathon prosecutions that dragged on for months sometimes over a year,only to secure a hard-fought verdict of “discharged and acquitted,” and yet watch helplessly as those same innocent souls were re-arrested within the court premises. The courtroom encircled by a battalion of security operatives: Police, DSS, Military, and Civil Defence became, on each judgment day, not a temple of justice, but a theatre of injustice. Instead of breathing the fresh air of freedom, they were violently whisked away under the guise of new charges often filed while the original trial was still ongoing.
I recall vividly the many occasions I stood my ground,confronting the persecutors of justice in open court and insisting that the rule of law, not the will of man, must prevail. Even after three separate judgments exonerated these young men, state agents brazenly declared they would never be released.
These were painful moments,memories heavy with grief, but borne with dignity.
One such day remains forever etched in my heart: September 27, 2024. My lord, Hon. Justice Chris E. Eze, had just delivered a compelling judgment, discharging and acquitting the defendants and admonishing the prosecution to respect the authority of the court. Yet again, they were seized within the court premises and manhandled by overzealous agents, leaving some seriously injured.
But the wounds inflicted were not just physical. I still remember the prison call informing me that one of the detainees was on the brink of a mental breakdown,contemplating suicide, consumed by hopelessness. In those moments, I stood firm, reassuring them that freedom was only a matter of time, that patience and faith would ultimately prevail.
Their only source of hope, they often said, was seeing me in court. I still recall their emotional plea: “Please, Barrister Ejiofor, do not abandon us. If you leave us, we will all die.” In the presence of their weeping families, I made a vow: I would never miss a single adjournment. And for four long years, I kept that promise—without fail.
There were close calls,three assassination attempts during my travels from Enugu to Ebonyi. On one occasion, my driver and I narrowly escaped death. Security operatives advised us not to leave our hiding spot until the assailants had been repelled. Yet, I was never deterred.
One particularly haunting memory is from February 13, 2025. My lord, Hon. Justice B. I. Chukwu, after delivering a soul-searching judgment, laid down her gavel and declined to entertain yet another fresh charge. She openly declared in court that her conscience could no longer bear it. She returned the file to the Chief Judge for reassignment. Even then, those acquitted were again remanded in prison.
This journey has been among the most emotionally demanding and spiritually refining of my entire career. Yet, through it all, I witnessed the unmistakable hand of God.
Today, I acknowledge the avalanche of prayers, support, and encouragement from Umuchineke and the wider public. I see your messages. I feel your hearts. But above all, I return all glory to God Almighty.
He has remained my fortress, my deliverer,the pillar who shielded me from disgrace, even when some of those I once defended, at great personal risk, turned around to become adversaries. When betrayal came dressed in familiar garments, God remained my shield. 🕊️
To them, I harbour no bitterness only prayers. For indeed, “the evil that men do now lives with them.”
Once again, justice has triumphed. Grace has proven sufficient. And I merely a servant of justice have learned to trust wholly in the One who never changes and never fails. Amen.
Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC) is a renowned Human Right Lawyer and lead counsel of the Indigenous People of Biafara IPOB.
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