Human Rights Advocate Writes Nigeria’s Police Chief, Seeks Immediate Release Of Ailing Social Media Influencer, Ijele, Allegedly Poisoned And On Dialysis
Published by Sahara Reporters
Emezu in the letter dated September 11, 2024, said Ofoegbu’s predicament has become a critical situation, one that urgently requires the IGP’s intervention to prevent a potential tragedy.
A human rights advocate, Prince Okechukwu Emezu, has written to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, over what he described as the unlawful and life-threatening detention of popular social media influencer and blogger Mr. Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, also known as “Ijele Speaks.”
Emezu in the letter dated September 11, 2024, said Ofoegbu’s predicament has become a critical situation, one that urgently requires the IGP’s intervention to prevent a potential tragedy.
“I respectfully appeal to your good office to investigate this grave injustice and act swiftly to rectify the wrongs being committed against him,” he said.
Emezu recalled that on March 19, 2024, Ofoegbu was invited by the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja, following a petition filed by Evangelist Ebuka Obi, whom he described as “a staunch supporter of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)”.
He said, “The petition accused Mr. Ofoegbu of criminal intimidation, threat to life, cyberstalking, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
“In good faith and trust in the justice system, Mr. Ofoegbu responded to the invitation on March 20, 2024, and was promptly remanded at Keffi Prison on March 21, 2024.
“From this point, Mr. Ofoegbu was subjected to a string of illegal actions, all orchestrated by individuals with affiliations to IPOB sympathizers.”
Emezu said the police officers involved in the case, including one officer Ezeala Blessing Nkechi, who served as a witness for the petitioner, Officer Obiora Ejiofor, who acted as the prosecutor, and others, “all hail from the Eastern region of Nigeria, where IPOB maintains a significant following.”
He said, “It is evident that many of these officers are either IPOB supporters or sympathizers. This clear bias and political alignment have tainted the entire investigation and prosecution process, compromising any chance of a fair hearing for Mr. Ofoegbu.”,
He said, “These same police officers conspired with a prison official at Keffi Prison, Sarduana Audu, to carry out illegal activities intended to further victimize Mr. Ofoegbu.
“Sarduana was integral to sabotaging efforts to secure his release, making any efforts to ensure justice for Mr. Ofoegbu is even more difficult.
“The legal proceedings against Mr. Ofoegbu were deeply flawed from the start. The first magistrate to handle the case, Honorable Manuel Iyana of Wuse Magistrate Court 2, who hails from Benue State, illegally detained Mr. Ofoegbu despite knowing his court lacked jurisdiction over the matter.
“Judge Iyana then transferred the case to Magistrate Chioma Mmanwachi of Wuse Magistrate Court 11, an IPOB sympathizer from Ebonyi State, further compounding the delay in justice.
“On April 18, 2024, Magistrate Iyana acknowledged that his court lacked jurisdiction and dismissed the case.
“However, in a shocking act of corruption, he secretly issued a detention order to Keffi Prison, preventing Mr. Ofoegbu’s release.
“This action, made behind closed doors and without the knowledge of the defense team, kept Mr. Ofoegbu unlawfully incarcerated.
“On April 19, 2024, Mr. Ofoegbu’s legal team, led by Deji Adeyanju, attempted to secure the certified true copy (CTC) of the court ruling from April 18.
“However, Iyana’s court refused to release the CTC, effectively obstructing any possibility of securing Mr. Ofoegbu’s release on bail. This act of obstruction demonstrated a deliberate attempt to prolong his unlawful detention.”
Emezu in the letter further said, “On May 8, 2024, Mr. Ofoegbu was illegally transferred to Lagos by Police Officer Ejike Peter from Abia State.
He said, “Officer Peter, clearly acting out of personal vendetta, cited fraudulent charges from IPOB members and transferred Mr. Ofoegbu to Justice Aluko at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
“While in Lagos, Mr. Ofoegbu was granted bail, but despite meeting the bail conditions on several occasions, the authorities refused to release him.
“This deliberate refusal was a delay tactic to keep him detained, in preparation for his eventual transfer to Awka, Anambra State—another dangerous stronghold of IPOB.
“After numerous failed attempts to secure his release, Mr. Ofoegbu’s health deteriorated significantly.
“It is in Ikoyi Prison, where prison staff sympathetic to IPOB and influenced by Mr. Obi’s Zion Ministries, systematically poisoned Mr. Ofoegbu.
“Within days, this led to the catastrophic failure of both of his kidneys. Sir, this was not a coincidence, but a deliberate act designed to cripple and silence him.
“He suffered multiple cardiac arrests and only narrowly survived, thanks to the intervention of a compassionate prison officer who alerted his family.
“It was after this intervention, vis-a-viz, that Chukwuka has alerted his family that the prison authority dubiously and hurriedly sent him to a hospital, located in Lagos where he would be diagnosed of kidney failure.”
According to him, “Mr. Ofoegbu would spend 3 weeks fighting for his life in these hospitals”.
He said, “As of now, Mr. Ofoegbu is in a critical condition and is dependent on twice a week dialysis treatment to survive.
“His health is failing, and time is running out. It was after this intervention, vis-a-viz, Chukwuka has alerted his family that the prison authority dubiously and hurriedly sent him to a hospital named Dateto Hospital located in Lagos where he would be diagnosed of kidney failure.
“Mr. Ofoegbu would spend 3 weeks fighting for his life in these hospitals. As of now, Mr. Ofoegbu is in a critical condition and dependent on two times a week dialysis treatment at the NAVAL Hospital, Lagos State. His health is failing, and time is running out.
“Sir, it is on record that Evangelist Ebuka Obi had vowed that his critics including Mr. Ofoegbu would lose their kidneys—a threat that, shockingly, has now come to pass.
“This direct link between Mr. Obi’s public threats and the poisoning that led to Mr. Ofoegbu’s current condition cannot be ignored.
“It is a clear indication that those responsible for his imprisonment are not satisfied with merely silencing him—they intend to eliminate him.”
He further noted that on June 4, 2024, Ofoegbu was granted bail, “but the authorities cited a fraudulent production warrant from Awka, Anambra State, as the reason for refusing to release him.
“Despite multiple requests from his legal team to view this document, it has never been produced.
“This delay was a malicious tactic to prolong his detention and enable a further illegal transfer to Awka, where his life would be in even greater danger.
“Now, there is a renewed attempt to transfer Mr. Ofoegbu to Awka, Anambra State, a notorious IPOB stronghold.”
He stressed that should this transfer occur, “It would mark a death sentence for him. This transfer is being facilitated by further fraudulent charges, brought forward by IPOB affiliates with the intent to eliminate him once and for all.
“Sir, it is critical to note that Mr. Ofoegbu’s only crime is that he has fearlessly spoken out against violence, criminality, and lawlessness in the South-East, particularly the atrocities committed by IPOB, ESN, and UGM.
“He has consistently advocated for peace and unity, working together with law enforcement to protect the lives of innocent civilians and the men and women in uniform.
“He has risked his life on multiple occasions to expose IPOB’s terroristic activities, preventing attacks on police stations and saving the lives of officers.
“In doing so, he earned the ire of those who profit from chaos, and they have sought to destroy him ever since.
“It is deeply ironic that while individuals who once perpetrated violence in the South-East are being reintegrated into society, a man who has fought tirelessly for justice and peace is being left to die in detention.”
Emezu said Ofoegbu’s only sin was his refusal to condone the violence that has plagued his homeland, “and now, despite his deteriorating health and clear evidence of foul play, Mr. Ofoegbu remains in prison, facing imminent danger.
“Sir, I urge you to take immediate action to prevent further injustice. The planned transfer to Awka must be stopped immediately, and Mr. Ofoegbu should be released from this unlawful detention before it is too late.
“His health is rapidly declining, and every day that he remains in custody brings him closer to death.
“This is not justice—it is a calculated, slow-motion execution. I trust in your leadership and your commitment to upholding the rule of law. I am confident that with your swift intervention, this grave injustice can be corrected.”
“Mr. Ofoegbu has done nothing to deserve this treatment, and he deserves the chance to live,” he added