Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lawyer to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has come out to state his own side of the
story on how his home in Oriaifite, Anambra state was ''invaded'' by police
officers on Monday December 2nd.
The police had reportedly
gone to his house for a search after it got information that some kidnap
victims were being held in his compound. During the search, a fight ensued and
two police officers were killed and their remains burnt. Ejiofor has since been
declared wanted by the police over the clash and the death of the police
officers.
In a video he made
and posted online, Ejiofor said some persons are after his life because he is
standing up for IPOB members and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
“On Sunday being the
first day of December 2019, I was called at about 8pm to 9pm by the DPO and he
never passed any message to me. Then in the morning, at about 6am, I got a call
from my elder brother that police have invaded my premises led by the area
commander himself. I requested to speak with the area commander and he obliged
which conversation was so recorded.
“I requested to know why they were in my house because I
wasn’t around. He said they came to arrest one of my wards who participated in
a local conflict. He demanded to see me and I said I will be back around 10:30
in the morning. I told him I will come to see him at the station when I am
back.
“He said okay, but he emphasised that time is of essence.
That I should keep to time. Then I became worried, because I came back on the
24th of November 2019 for my brother’s burial and I have been around. I never
had any issues with anybody, I never stepped out of my house. When I came back
around 10, I told my mother I want to go see the area commander, but on a
second thought I decided to go see my uncle who will accompany me.
“When I left the house for my uncle’s place, that served as
a saving grace. We were on our way to the commander’s office taking an
unconventional way when I got a call from my junior brother that the police
were in my house and they opened fire on all living object, including persons
in my house. So, I was like someone came about 6 in the morning, had a
conversation with him on an offence I don’t even know anything about and I
promised him as a lawyer that I am going to be in his office, then what happened
in my house took me by surprise.
“I was confused about what was going on. As I speak now, I
am homeless. They have burnt down the house. Many people who were running for
safety were also killed. Over 20 person have been killed. My mum was gunned,
and now receiving treatment. What is my offence for being IPOB lawyer?
“I decided to take refuge within the neighbourhood. The
reports kept coming in as to the atrocities they were committing in my house
including roping people around the area. At the end, they took away the bodies
of those they killed in my house in their own van to a place along
Onitsha-Owerri express road, burnt all of them and left. That is all I know
that transpired.”
Speaking further, he said
“I’ve committed no offence known to law. They are actually
interested in getting me out of the way. They are interested in killing me
because they have seen me as thorn in their flesh. Because I am defending
members of IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu. Any place they arrest any IPOB member, they
will always see me there. And I have defeated them in virtual all of the cases.
The terrorism tag on IPOB is being challenged at the court of appeal and we are
awaiting judgement,” he said.
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