₦airaland Forum

Ejiofor to Ndigbo: Electoral Boycott Is Not Patriotism,Reject It


The renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has stated unequivocally that any directive advocating an electoral boycott, under whatever guise or euphemism in Ala Igbo, must be rejected.

The IPOB lawyer gave the warning in his latest Midweek Musings, titled: “Ala-Igbo at a Crossroads: Jettisoning Electoral Boycott Before It Becomes Another Tragedy.”

According to Ejiofor, Ndigbo must reject, with every sense of responsibility, any attempt to turn electoral participation into an offence against the collective interest of the people.

The Anambra State-born human rights lawyer, who holds the traditional title of Dunu-Ezeugosinachi, said he condemned, in its entirety, every directive calculated to induce an electoral boycott in Ala-Igbo, particularly where such directives are issued without transparent accountability to the people who will ultimately bear the consequences.

Ejiofor said the time had therefore come for Ndigbo to jettison every destructive ideology and directive that seeks to make electoral boycott a measure of loyalty, patriotism or political fidelity.

According to him, patriotism cannot mean deliberately weakening one’s own people, just as resistance cannot mean destroying the economic foundation upon which the people depend.

He further argued that political fidelity cannot require the sacrifice of the lives, livelihoods and future prospects of an entire generation.

Ejiofor maintained that Ndigbo must never again take a path whose ultimate destination is devastation, warning that decisions capable of inflicting long-term economic, political and social consequences on the people must be subjected to the highest level of responsibility, accountability and scrutiny.

The statement reads in full:

There is an unsettling pattern in the rhetoric presently being introduced into our political space, rhetoric packaged initially as harmless directives, civil disobedience or principled protest, but carrying within it the unmistakable seeds of consequences far more devastating than the promoters may wish the people to contemplate.

This intervention is therefore not about politics; it is about the preservation of Ala-Igbo and the protection of the lives, livelihoods and hard-earned peace of our people.

Any directive advocating an electoral boycott, under whatever guise or euphemism it may be presented, must be unequivocally rejected. We must not permit the reopening of wounds that have taken enormous sacrifices to heal. We have witnessed, at great cost, what happens when political grievances are converted into rigid commands and when ordinary people are compelled to pay the ultimate price for decisions taken by those who are themselves safely removed from the consequences.

We must therefore reject, with every sense of responsibility, any attempt to turn electoral participation into an offence against the collective interest of our people.

Indeed, what greater irony could there be than to surrender our political voice in the name of defending our people, only to discover that the silence created by such surrender has become the very instrument through which our collective interests are diminished? Perhaps the ballot box is now being treated as the enemy, while political irrelevance is being advertised as victory.

We must be wiser.

There are legitimate constitutional, judicial, political and democratic channels through which grievances can be ventilated and remedies pursued .

I therefore condemn, in its entirety, every directive calculated to induce electoral boycott in Ala-Igbo, particularly where such directives are issued without transparent accountability to the people who will ultimately bear the consequences.

Those who are gathering the storm should understand that Ala-Igbo is no longer available for experimentation with destructive political theories. Our people have endured enough. Our communities have suffered enough. Our economy has paid enough. And our children deserve a future that is not perpetually held hostage by the political calculations of faceless actors. Ndị Igbo must reject every attempt to drag them backwards.
We cannot continue to pursue political objectives through strategies whose collateral consequences are borne almost exclusively by the very people we claim to defend. A people do not preserve their homeland by rendering it ungovernable; they preserve it by protecting its peace, strengthening its institutions and relentlessly pursuing justice through every legitimate avenue available to them.

The time has therefore come to jettison every destructive ideal and directive that seeks to make electoral boycott a measure of loyalty or patriotism. Patriotism cannot mean deliberately weakening one’s own people. Resistance cannot mean destroying one’s own economic foundation. And political fidelity cannot require sacrificing the lives and livelihoods of an entire generation.

We must never again take a route whose destination is devastation.

Ala-Igbo has travelled too far, suffered too much and survived too many storms to become collateral damage in another experiment in political absolutism.

Let those who genuinely love Ala-Igbo prove it by protecting her peace.

Let those who genuinely speak for our people listen to the people.

And let those gathering another storm be reminded that the Igbo nation has seen the consequences of fire; we should not be persuaded to strike another match merely to prove that we can withstand the flames.

Ala-Igbo must not be sacrificed on the altar of political absolutism.

Poverty Is Not a Hunting Licence: Ejiofor Condemns Alleged Organ Harvesting


Titus Maduako Eleweke

The renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has condemned the alleged illegal harvesting of human organs, particularly kidneys, from vulnerable young Nigerians.

According to Ejiofor, in a statement titled “Monday Musings: When Healers Become Harvesters: The Shameful Commerce in Organ Harvesting and the Betrayal of Medical Ethics,” the reported acts are profoundly disturbing and demand the strongest possible condemnation.

The human rights lawyer called for an independent investigation and the prosecution of anyone found to be involved in the alleged criminal acts.

According to him, the recent revelations arising from investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS), concerning a syndicate allegedly involved in the illegal harvesting of human organs, particularly kidneys, from vulnerable young Nigerians, are profoundly disturbing and demand the strongest possible condemnation.

“If the allegations are established, what we are confronted with is not merely another criminal enterprise driven by greed; it is a grotesque assault upon human dignity, bodily integrity and the sanctity of life. It is difficult to conceive of a more cynical exploitation of poverty than to prey upon young people desperate to make ends meet, lure them into circumstances they may neither understand nor fully appreciate, and convert their very bodies into instruments of commercial enrichment,” he said.

According to the human rights lawyer, the reported arrest of four suspects in Nasarawa State on August 19, 2026, comprising two nephrologists with Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, where the victim’s kidney was allegedly harvested, and an alleged recruiter, has further deepened the concern.

Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who holds the title Dunu-Ezeugosinachi, said the police had alleged that vulnerable young persons were recruited for kidney harvesting, with some reportedly paid as little as $1,250, while elaborate documentation, including names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters, was allegedly forged or manipulated to facilitate the scheme.

According to him, the most chilling aspect of these revelations is the sophistication of the alleged enterprise.

He said that, according to the police investigation, victims were not merely recruited; their identities were allegedly altered through court affidavits and other documentation, apparently to conceal their true identities and create a veneer of legality around an otherwise unconscionable enterprise.

“Herein lies the most disturbing irony, those entrusted with preserving life cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, become merchants in the destruction or permanent impairment of the lives placed within their care,” he said.

Ejiofor said the alleged involvement of medical practitioners was particularly reprehensible.

The human rights lawyer said the medical profession is founded upon an almost sacred covenant to preserve life, relieve suffering and protect the vulnerable, adding that it is regrettable that trained doctors could allegedly become involved in acts that result in the destruction or permanent impairment of lives.

“Where a medical practitioner, instead, participates in exploiting a person’s desperation for financial gain, the betrayal transcends ordinary criminality; it becomes a profound violation of the very ethical foundation upon which the profession stands.
“There can be no meaningful consent where poverty, ignorance, deception or manipulation is deliberately weaponised against the vulnerable.
A signature obtained from a desperate person does not magically transform exploitation into ethical conduct. Neither can an affidavit manufacture legality where the underlying transaction is inherently unlawful. Apparently, even conscience has now acquired a price tag, and, regrettably, some appear willing to sell it cheaply.
“This matter therefore demands more than arrests and media parades. It requires a thorough, independent and uncompromising investigation, extending to every individual, medical facility, intermediary, document trail and financial transaction connected with the network.
“Every victim must be identified, protected and provided with appropriate medical, psychological and legal support. Every professional who may have abused the trust reposed in him or her must be made to answer, without fear or favour, before the appropriate regulatory and judicial authorities.
“Most importantly, this disturbing episode should provoke a national conversation about the vulnerability of young Nigerians whose economic desperation is increasingly being exploited by criminal enterprises. Poverty must never become a hunting licence for predators, and desperation must never be mistaken for informed consent.
“When those sworn to heal begin harvesting the vulnerable for profit, the question is no longer merely whether a crime has been committed; it is whether we have allowed greed to so corrupt our moral compass that the Hippocratic Oath itself has become, for some, little more than a business model.
“That is a line no civilised society must permit anyone to cross,” he added.

NBA Must Look Inward:Ejiofor Demands Equal Justice,Accountability,Lawyers’Welfare

Titus Maduako Eleweke

Renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has challenged the newly elected NBA President, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, to move beyond the euphoria of her historic emergence and confront the deep-seated problems confronting the Nigerian legal profession.

Ejiofor said the new administration must enforce discipline without fear or favour, defend judicial independence while demanding accountability, tackle lawyers’ welfare concerns and undertake serious institutional reforms,warning that the Bar cannot preach accountability to society while shielding impunity within its own ranks.

He stated that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) must embrace serious institutional reform.

According to him, the integrity of the legal profession is not merely proclaimed at conferences but demonstrated in courtrooms, chambers, boardrooms, and public life.

Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in his weekend column titled “Weekend Musings: The New Baton at the Bar: Beyond the Ceremony, the Real Work Begins,” said the new administration under Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, must go beyond declarations and pursue practical reforms.

According to him, the war against professional misconduct cannot be fought through rhetoric alone; rather, it must be confronted through credible and consistent enforcement.

He said that, in this battle, there must be no sacred cows.

According to Ejiofor, a young lawyer must not be disciplined while a senior lawyer is excused, just as an unpopular lawyer must not be prosecuted while an influential one is protected.

He said the dignity of the profession cannot be selectively defended, noting that the Bar must also turn its searchlight inward.

He urged the new administration to have the courage to confront uncomfortable realities, the wisdom to distinguish criticism from hostility, the humility to listen even to those who disagree with it, and the firmness to act when action becomes necessary.

Ejiofor said Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, inherits not merely an office but a profession crying out for restoration, reform, and renewed confidence.

According to the human rights lawyer, the head of the new Bar has the opportunity to prove that the historic significance of her emergence was not simply that a woman occupied the highest elected office of the Bar, but that, under her leadership, the Bar itself became stronger, fairer, more ethical, more prosperous, and more courageous.

Read the full statement:


"Yesterday, 28 August 2026, the curtains finally came down on the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt, bringing to a close another significant chapter in the life of our profession. More importantly, the occasion witnessed the formal transition of leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, with Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, assuming office as the 33rd President of the NBA.

As we bid farewell to Port Harcourt, therefore, the euphoria of transition must necessarily give way to sober reflection. The conference may have ended, the photographs taken, the handshakes exchanged and the ceremonial speeches delivered; but the unfinished business of rebuilding the Nigerian legal profession remains very much with us.

The conference itself, notwithstanding its many memorable moments, also exposed some of the deficiencies that must no longer be glossed over. The flooding at the conference venue and the unfortunate spectacle of lawyers being compelled to pay money to be ferried across flooded exit routes were particularly disturbing. At a gathering of the nation’s legal minds, one would have expected a more robust contingency plan for such a foreseeable logistical challenge.

There was, indeed, something almost paradoxical about lawyers gathering to deliberate on the rule of law, only to find themselves negotiating with floodwaters at the exit, and, apparently, discovering that even crossing a flooded pathway had acquired a tariff!

But beyond the logistics of one conference lies the larger and more consequential question: what kind of Bar do we desire to build?

I listened carefully to the inaugural address of our new President, and one aspect particularly resonated with me: the resolve to confront the increasing abuse of fellow lawyers, particularly on social media. This is not a peripheral matter. The unchecked vilification, humiliation, cyber-bullying and character assassination of colleagues have become an unfortunate feature of our professional discourse.

A profession founded upon advocacy, reason and the disciplined deployment of language cannot afford to become a marketplace where reputations are destroyed before facts are established.

The new administration must, however, go beyond declarations. The war against professional misconduct cannot be fought by rhetoric alone. It must be fought by credible enforcement.

And in that battle, there must be no sacred cows.

The young lawyer must not be disciplined while the senior lawyer is excused. The unpopular lawyer must not be prosecuted while the influential one is protected. The dignity of the profession cannot be selectively defended. The Bar must also turn its searchlight inward.

Resolve to defend the independence of the Judiciary with every legitimate means available to us. But, in the same breath, we must have the courage to confront allegations and manifestations of corruption, indiscipline, delay, professional misconduct and other institutional weaknesses within the administration of justice.These two obligations are not contradictory.

Judicial independence without judicial accountability is dangerous; judicial accountability without judicial independence is equally perilous.

Our advocacy for an independent Judiciary must therefore proceed pari passu with our demand for a Judiciary that is transparent, efficient, courageous and demonstrably committed to justice. We cannot demand public confidence in an institution while becoming uncomfortable whenever legitimate questions are raised about its internal shortcomings.

The same principle applies to the Bar itself. The Nigerian Bar Association must become increasingly intolerant of impunity, whether committed by politicians, judicial officers, lawyers or the Association’s own officials. The Bar cannot credibly preach accountability to the nation while becoming allergic to accountability within its own household.

There is also the urgent question of the welfare and economic survival of lawyers. A profession cannot be considered healthy when a substantial number of its young practitioners struggle to survive, when remuneration remains disproportionately low, when professional opportunities are unevenly distributed, and when the cost of legal practice continues to rise beyond the capacity of many practitioners.

The welfare of lawyers must therefore not be treated as a ceremonial item in presidential speeches. It must become a measurable policy objective.

The Bar must therefore embrace serious institutional reform. We need a profession whose integrity is not merely proclaimed at conferences but demonstrated in courtrooms, chambers, boardrooms and public life.
To our new President, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, the responsibility before you is enormous. You have made history; now you must make an impact.

You inherit not merely an office, but a profession crying out for restoration, reform and renewed confidence. You have the opportunity to prove that the historic significance of your emergence was not simply that a woman occupied the highest elected office of the Bar, but that under your leadership, the Bar itself became stronger, fairer, more ethical, more prosperous and more courageous.

May your administration have the courage to confront the uncomfortable, the wisdom to distinguish criticism from hostility, the humility to listen even to those who disagree with you, and the firmness to act when action becomes necessary.

As we finally bid farewell to Port Harcourt, may everyone return safely to their respective destinations. And as we look forward to Abuja 2027, let us hope that the next conference will not merely be another grand annual reunion of lawyers, but an opportunity to demonstrate that the lessons of Port Harcourt have translated into institutional improvements.

The ceremony is over.
The applause has faded.
The baton has changed hands.

Now, Madam President, the real work begins.
May God Almighty endow you and your entire administration with the wisdom, courage, strength and grace to justify the confidence reposed in you by the Nigerian legal profession.

Congratulations once again, Madam President. May your tenure be remembered not merely as historic, but as transformative.

From Rookie to Rainmaker: The Price of Building a Reputable Legal Practice



Titus Maduako Eleweke


Titus Eleweke

Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has stated that becoming a lawyer does not automatically translate into wealth, influence, or professional success.

Ejiofor made the submission in his Wednesday Musings titled “From Rookie to Rainmaker: The Price of Building a Reputable Legal Practice,” in which he reflected on the realities of building a successful and reputable legal career.

According to him, the legal profession is not an ATM machine into which one inserts a wig and immediately withdraws wealth. He stressed that success at the Bar requires time, patience, discipline, sacrifice, mentorship, learning, and professional maturation.

“There is a period of apprenticeship, learning, sacrifice, tutelage and professional maturation. The kettle, indeed, will eventually boil—but only for the lawyer who has the patience to keep it on the fire,” he stated.

Ejiofor’s comments followed a lecture delivered by Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN, titled “Rookie to Rainmaker” at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Ejiofor said he had known Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN, in Abuja for more than two decades and described him as a hardworking, disciplined, dedicated, and honest senior practitioner.

He noted that Ali delivered a brilliant and deeply instructive lecture, drawing substantially from his experience of more than four decades at the Bar.

According to Ejiofor, the legal profession is operating in an era in which the appetite for instant gratification increasingly competes with the patience and perseverance required for meaningful professional growth.

He observed that some young lawyers scarcely want to undergo the necessary period of tutelage before demanding the privileges and opportunities associated with becoming rainmakers.

“Some lawyers want the harvest without planting, the silk without the struggle, and the brief without first acquiring the competence to properly handle it,” he said.

Ejiofor maintained that professional excellence cannot be achieved through shortcuts, stressing that lawyers must be prepared to climb the difficult path of learning, experience, discipline, and continuous development.

“Perhaps we should tell ourselves the truth: there is no elevator to professional excellence; one must still climb the stairs,” he said.

He urged the Nigerian Bar Association to consider the lessons contained in Prof. Ali’s lecture too important to be confined to a single breakout session.

Rather, he said, the subject should become part of a continuing and deliberate conversation about the future of the legal profession.

According to him, if lawyers are genuinely concerned about restoring the lost glory, dignity, and public confidence in the legal profession, they must deliberately strengthen the values that once distinguished the Bar.

He stressed that the NBA must go beyond resolutions, declarations, and conference rhetoric, arguing that professional ethics must be lived, enforced, and consistently upheld by practitioners and the institution itself.

Ejiofor further stated that the safeguards already existing within the regulatory framework of the profession must be strengthened, while breaches of professional standards should attract consequences sufficient to preserve the dignity, integrity, and credibility of the legal profession.

He emphasised that building a reputable legal practice is a gradual process that demands competence, character, patience, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to professional ethics. In his view, aspiring rainmakers must first understand that reputation and influence are earned over time through hard work and excellence, rather than demanded as immediate entitlements.

The statement reads:
As the Nigeria Bar Association Annual General Conference currently underway in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, offers lawyers an array of intellectually stimulating breakout sessions, one particular session yesterday, in my respectful view, deserves far greater attention than it may have received.

The theme was “Rookie to Rainmaker.”

It was not merely a lecture on how to make money from legal practice. It was, more fundamentally, a lesson on how to build a lawyer-his competence, character, reputation, discipline and professional identity-from the ground up.

The session addressed the dos and don’ts of legal practice and, most importantly, reminded young lawyers that there is no credible shortcut to becoming a respected practitioner. A sustainable legal career is built painstakingly upon hard work, integrity, competence, knowledge, discipline, patience and an impeccable reputation.

The central message was simple but profound: before becoming a rainmaker, you must first become a lawyer worth trusting.

The new wigs were reminded that the legal profession is not an ATM machine into which one inserts a wig and immediately withdraws wealth. There is a period of apprenticeship, learning, sacrifice, tutelage and professional maturation. The kettle, indeed, will eventually boil-but only for the lawyer who has the patience to keep it on the fire.

Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN, whom I have known in Abuja for over two decades as a hardworking, disciplined, dedicated and honest senior practitioner, delivered a brilliant and deeply instructive lecture, drawing substantially from his experience of over four decades at the Bar.

For those who know him and have observed his career, his message was hardly surprising. His own professional journey is a living testimony to the proposition he advanced: reputation is built over time, but can be destroyed in a moment.

What truly markets a lawyer is not merely brilliance. Brilliance may open the door; character, competence and integrity keep it open. Knowledge gives the lawyer substance; reputation gives him currency; character gives that reputation permanence.

And that brings me to the uncomfortable question: how many lawyers at this conference can honestly beat their chests and say that they have remained faithful to these foundational principles?

We are living in an era in which the appetite for instant gratification increasingly competes with the patience required for professional growth. Some young lawyers scarcely want to undergo tutelage before demanding the privileges of rainmaking. Some want the harvest without planting, the silk without the struggle, and the brief without first acquiring the competence to properly handle it.

Perhaps we should tell ourselves the truth: there is no elevator to professional excellence; one must still climb the stairs.

The NBA should therefore consider this teaching too important to be confined to a single breakout session. It should become part of a continuing conversation about the future of our profession. If we are genuinely concerned about restoring the lost glory, dignity and public confidence in the legal profession, then we must deliberately strengthen the values that once distinguished the Bar.

The NBA must go beyond resolutions and conference rhetoric. Professional ethics must be lived, enforced and consistently upheld. The safeguards already existing within our regulatory framework must be strengthened, and breaches must attract consequences sufficient to preserve the dignity of the profession.

I also sincerely hope that subsequent NBA Annual General Conferences will improve upon what we have witnessed here in Port Harcourt. Enugu set a remarkably high organisational standard, and many attendees understandably expected that standard to be sustained or surpassed. While this year’s conference has provided lawyers with a valuable opportunity for intellectual engagement, reunion, conviviality and professional networking, there have nevertheless been some noticeable organisational lapses.

Yet, beyond the logistics, the enduring value of a conference lies in what each lawyer takes home from it.

For me, “Rookie to Rainmaker” is one of those lessons.

The young lawyer should leave with patience.
The mid-career lawyer should leave with renewed discipline.
The senior practitioner should leave with a deeper sense of responsibility.
And the profession itself should leave with a renewed determination to restore its battered reputation.

At the end of the day, the greatest rainmakers are not those who merely attract the greatest number of briefs; they are those whose names inspire confidence before the brief even arrives.

That is the real journey from Rookie to Rainmaker—not the pursuit of quick money, but the patient accumulation of knowledge, competence, character, integrity and an unblemished reputation.

And if this conference succeeds in reminding even a handful of young lawyers that the fastest route to becoming a respected lawyer is to first become a good lawyer, then this particular teaching would have achieved far more than its modest breakout-session designation suggests.

The future of the Nigerian Bar will not be secured merely by producing more lawyers. It will be secured by producing better lawyers.

Beyond Limits, Must Mean More: Ejiofor Demands Moral Renewal in Nigerian Bar

Titus Maduako Eleweke

The renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to use its 66th Annual General Conference to restore the declining moral standards in the legal profession.

According to him, the new administration should bring fresh energy, courageous reforms, people-oriented initiatives, and a renewed commitment to restoring the Bar to the commanding moral and professional heights expected of the foremost association of lawyers in Nigeria.

He made the appeal in his Monday Musings titled, “66TH ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION: BEYOND LIMITS — BUT BEYOND WHAT?”
He said that as Port Harcourt, the Garden City, has once again become the gathering place of Nigeria’s legal fraternity, the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), holding from August 21 to 28, 2026, under the evocative theme, “Beyond Limits ’26,” is underway.

He said the city has understandably taken on the atmosphere of a national legal carnival, with heightened security arrangements and the unmistakable presence of lawyers from across the country.

The statement reads in part:
“This year’s Conference is particularly significant. Beyond the usual intellectual feasting, professional networking and the inevitable reunion of old friends—and, perhaps, the occasional reunion of lawyers who have been avoiding one another in court corridors—it marks an important change of guard in the leadership of the NBA.

“The Conference will witness the formal assumption of office of Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association. Her emergence is historic: she is the first woman to be directly elected President of the NBA and only the second woman to occupy the office since the Association’s establishment in 1933. She secured 12,317 votes in the July 2026 election to emerge as the winner.

“That history comes with a formidable responsibility. We therefore hope that the new administration will bring fresh energy, courageous reforms, people-oriented initiatives and a renewed commitment to restoring the Bar to the commanding moral and professional heights expected of the foremost association of lawyers in Nigeria.

“It is equally appropriate to acknowledge the outgoing President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, whose administration has, by all reasonable assessment, recorded significant achievements and contributed meaningfully to the development of the Association. Posterity, we hope, will be fair in its assessment of his stewardship.

“But as the Bar gathers under the banner ‘Beyond Limits,’ perhaps the most important question is: what exactly are we determined to go beyond?
“Beyond outdated practices? Beyond complacency? Beyond professional indiscipline? Beyond internal divisions? Beyond the troubling conduct of a few members whose actions sometimes make the public wonder whether the wig and gown are still symbols of learning, dignity and justice, or merely fashionable accessories?

“These are uncomfortable questions, but the Annual General Conference provides precisely the right platform to ask them.
“As the Conference progresses, our routine Musings will therefore examine some of the critical issues confronting the Nigerian Bar, not merely to celebrate its accomplishments, but also to interrogate its shortcomings, particularly those conduct and ethical failures capable of diminishing the hard-earned reputation of this noble profession.

“The Bar cannot successfully demand accountability from society while appearing reluctant to hold itself accountable. A profession that stands as society’s legal conscience must first ensure that its own conscience remains beyond reproach.

“The real meaning of ‘Beyond Limits,’ therefore, must extend beyond the conference halls, elaborate ceremonies, intellectual fireworks and the inevitable photographs of lawyers in their finest regalia. It must translate into a renewed Bar—more ethical, more courageous, more united, more accessible, more professionally disciplined and more responsive to the people whose rights it exists to defend.

“Port Harcourt has opened its arms. The Bar has assembled.
“Now, let the conversations begin, and let us see whether we can truly go beyond our limits, rather than merely rename them.”

No More Cap in Hand: Ejiofor demands true federalism, ending states’ dependence on abuja

Titus Maduako Eleweke

Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called for Nigeria to return to the principles of genuine federalism, where power follows responsibility, resources follow responsibility, and accountability follows power.

According to Ejiofor, until Nigeria embraces genuine federalism, the country will continue to operate a federation in which everybody wants autonomy, but everybody also wants Abuja to pay the bills.

The human rights lawyer made the observation in his latest weekend piece titled, “WEEKEND MUSINGS: FROM ‘CAP IN HAND’ TO TRUE FEDERALISM: WHEN GOVERNORS MUST BEG ABUJA TO PAY SALARIES.”

His intervention followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent remark that some state governors had, in the recent past, besieged the Presidency “cap in hand,” seeking assistance to meet their salary obligations.

According to Ejiofor, what may appear to be a casual presidential remark deserves far more serious national reflection than it has received.

He argued that, beyond the immediate political context in which the statement was made, it exposes a fundamental structural weakness in the Nigerian federation: a system in which sub-national governments are constitutionally recognised as governments, yet many of them remain financially dependent on Abuja even for some of the most basic obligations of governance.

Ejiofor noted that Nigeria did not begin as a federation in which virtually every major decision, resource and financial lifeline had to pass through the centre.
According to him, the historical development of Nigerian federalism, particularly during the First Republic, was substantially built around regional autonomy, fiscal responsibility and competition among the federating units.
He said the regions exercised considerable control over their resources and assumed substantial responsibility for financing their own development.

The statement reads in part:
“The logic was simple: those who govern the people should have meaningful control over the resources generated within their jurisdiction and should also bear responsibility for the consequences of their choices.

“Unfortunately, the Nigerian federation has progressively become excessively centralised. The result is a curious arrangement in which governors are elected to govern states, collect internally generated revenue and administer substantial public institutions, yet some must periodically look towards Abuja for financial salvation.

“And here comes the irony: the governor is called ‘His Excellency’ in the state, but when salaries become due, he may have to become ‘His Excellency, Please Help Us, Mr President.’
“That cannot be the ideal of federalism.
“The Federation Account was never intended to become a permanent substitute for responsible economic governance at the state level. Yet the present structure has created a culture of dependency in which some states appear to regard monthly Federation Account allocations almost as their primary economic oxygen.

“The official revenue-distribution figures themselves demonstrate the enormous scale of this intergovernmental financial dependence. States receive substantial allocations from federally collected revenues, including statutory revenue, VAT, derivation and other distributable revenues.

“There is, of course, nothing inherently wrong with revenue sharing in a federation. The problem arises when revenue sharing becomes revenue dependence.

“A state that possesses land, agriculture, commerce, industry, tourism, mineral resources, human capital and enormous economic potential should not permanently exist as a monthly petitioner before Abuja.

“The deeper question is: why should a state with enormous economic potential be perpetually poor?
“The answer cannot always be that Abuja did not give enough money.
“What we urgently require, therefore, is not merely more money from Abuja, but more responsible government away from Abuja.
“The most painful dimension of this dysfunction is that the ordinary worker and pensioner ultimately bear the burden. While workers wait for salaries and pensioners wait for their entitlements, political office holders can sometimes appear remarkably insulated from the economic consequences of governmental failure.
“President Tinubu’s ‘cap in hand’ remark should therefore not be treated merely as political banter or another presidential soundbite. It should provoke a national conversation about the kind of federation we want.
“Do we want states that are perpetually dependent on Abuja? Or do we want states sufficiently empowered, and sufficiently accountable, to stand on their own economic feet?
“Do we want governors who spend enormous political energy travelling to Abuja in search of financial intervention? Or do we want governors competing to make their states economically viable?
“The present system has produced an unfortunate paradox: we call ourselves a federation, but have constructed an economy in which the centre remains disproportionately powerful and the federating units frequently return to the centre for sustenance.

“And, above all, let us dismantle the political culture in which the monthly allocation from Abuja becomes the beginning, middle and end of economic planning.

“Because if a governor must repeatedly approach the President cap in hand merely to pay workers’ salaries, then the question is no longer whether the President is generous enough.
“The question is whether the architecture of the federation itself is working. And my answer is unequivocal.”

Ejiofor’s position ultimately raises a broader constitutional and political question about the future of Nigeria’s federal structure: can a federation genuinely function when the federating units exercise limited fiscal autonomy but retain extensive political and administrative responsibilities?
For him, the solution is not simply to increase federal allocations or repeatedly expand the financial intervention available to states. Rather, Nigeria must undertake a deeper restructuring of its federal system—one that gives states greater control over their economic resources, expands their fiscal responsibilities, strengthens local accountability and reduces the excessive concentration of political and economic power at the centre.
A sustainable federation, he argued, should not be defined by how frequently governors can secure financial assistance from Abuja, but by how effectively each federating unit can mobilise its resources, deliver public services and answer to its own citizens.
The fundamental principle should therefore be clear: where power resides, responsibility must follow; where responsibility resides, resources must follow; and where resources and power reside, accountability must follow.
Until that balance is restored, Nigeria risks remaining a federation in name but an increasingly centralised system in practice—one in which states demand autonomy while simultaneously depending on the centre for their economic survival.
The “cap in hand” phenomenon, therefore, should not merely be viewed as a question of whether individual governors are financially prudent or whether the Federal Government is sufficiently generous. It should compel Nigerians to confront the larger structural question of whether the present federal arrangement adequately serves the interests of the states, their citizens and th
e federation as a whole.

The time has come for Nigeria to move beyond a system of dependency towards a federal structure founded on fiscal autonomy, economic competition, constitutional clarity, responsible governance and genuine accountability.
Only then can federalism become more than a constitutional description and become a functioning system of governance in which every level of government is empowered to act—and held accountable for the consequences of its actions.

Police Shooting in Onitsha: Ejiofor Condemns Use of Force, Demands Accountability



Titus Maduako Eleweke

Anambra State-born human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has condemned the alleged use of lethal force against unarmed civilians at the popular Ogbo-Ogwu Head Bridge Market in Onitsha , Anambra State on Wednesday.

Ejiofor also called for an immediate, thorough, impartial, transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deeply disturbing incident.

The human rights lawyer made the call while reacting to reports of the shooting of an unarmed trader by police officers in Onitsha on Thursday.

“I call upon the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, to ensure an immediate, independent and painstaking investigation into the incident; identify every officer who discharged a firearm or otherwise participated in any unlawful excesses; establish the circumstances and, where culpability is established, ensure that the law takes its full and uncompromising course,” he stated.

According to him, accounts presently emerging from traders at the market contain serious allegations that some police personnel routinely operate within the market, ostensibly for enforcement purposes, but allegedly subject traders to persistent harassment, arrests and demands for gratification.

He said these grave allegations, if established, demand urgent institutional scrutiny and appropriate accountability.

Ejiofor said, more disturbingly, that it was alleged that on Wednesday morning, a trader leaving the market with a carton of goods was pursued by policemen and, after reportedly failing to stop, was shot at close range.

According to him, the incident allegedly triggered a subsequent civil protest, during which allegations of indiscriminate police shooting reportedly resulted in serious injuries and loss of lives.

He said the development represents a deeply disturbing departure from the constitutional and professional responsibilities of law-enforcement officers to protect life, preserve public order and exercise their powers with restraint, necessity and proportionality.

According to him, a civilian protest, however tense or disorderly, cannot by itself become a licence for the indiscriminate deployment of lethal force.

“The dead cannot speak for themselves. The injured deserve justice. The bereaved deserve answers. And the public deserves the truth.
“I trust that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force will rise above institutional sentiment, investigate without fear or favour, and demonstrate that the uniform is a shield for the citizen, not a licence to violate the citizen,” he added.

Ejiofor Celebrates Okwuosah, Hails Him as God-Sent Gift to Humanity

Titus Maduako Eleweke

Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has felicitated with Engr. Dr. Emeka Okwuosah, CON, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a special birthday message personally signed by him, Ejiofor described Dr. Okwuosah as a God-sent gift, not only to the good people of Oraifite but also to humanity at large.

Ejiofor wrote:“On this very special occasion of your birthday, I specially call upon the Lord God Almighty to continue to bless you abundantly, enlarge your coast, and multiply all that concerns you.
You are truly a rare gem and an extraordinary gift, not only to the good people of Oraifite but also to humanity at large. Crossing paths with you in the journey of my life has reinforced my belief that there are, indeed, angels who walk among us in human form. Your kindness, selflessness, generosity, and immeasurable impact on my life shall remain indelibly etched in my heart.
May the Almighty continue to preserve you, strengthen you, elevate you, and cause you to flourish from strength to strength. May every new chapter of your life bring you greater joy, uncommon favour, sound health, peace, fulfilment, and abundant blessings.
May your good deeds continually return to you in manifold measures, and may you never lack reasons to smile, celebrate, and give thanks. May this new milestone mark the beginning of even greater accomplishments, greater impact, and more glorious seasons ahead.
Happy birthday and heartfelt congratulations on this beautiful milestone! May you continue to shine, prosper, and remain a blessing to everyone whose life you touch.”

Ejiofor: We Cannot Cure Igbo Marginalisation by Destroying Ourselves

Titus Maduako Eleweke

Anambra State-born human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has stated that the Igbo people have suffered marginalisation in Nigeria, but argued that such grievances cannot legitimise the destruction of their people, communities and property.

Ejiofor made the assertion in his latest piece titled, “MIDWEEK MUSINGS: IT IS TOO LATE IN THE DAY TO DENY THE OBVIOUS: WHEN A PEOPLE’S LAND IS DESECRATED WITH BLOOD, THE VENGEANCE OF HISTORY CANNOT BE LAUGHED AWAY.”

In the piece, he acknowledged that the Igbo people have suffered grave historical, political and economic marginalisation within the Nigerian federation, noting that the reality of such marginalisation cannot honestly be wished away.

However, he maintained that legitimate grievances cannot constitute a licence for self-destruction.

“We cannot cure marginalisation by committing suicide. We cannot secure the future of our children by burning the bridge upon which those children must eventually walk.
“We cannot demand justice from others while becoming unjust to ourselves. And we certainly cannot build a nation, region or people upon the ashes of innocent lives.”he said.

According to him, those who have orchestrated, facilitated or celebrated bloodshed, violence, killings, kidnappings, intimidation and other grave atrocities in Alaigbo cannot simply wash their hands in the waters of propaganda and proclaim themselves innocent.

Ejiofor disclosed that he recently hosted some of his media friends, all of Igbo extraction, for what he described as a candid and unusually frank conversation.

“I had the privilege of hosting a few of my media friends, all of Igbo extraction, for a candid and unusually frank conversation. It was one of those rare occasions when men deliberately put aside the comfort of familiar narratives and subjected our collective assumptions, prejudices, misconceptions and emotional attachments to the cold light of reason.
“We spoke truth to one another.
“We interrogated a number of deeply misconceived impressions and the dangerous emotional attachments which, for far too long, have constituted some of the greatest impediments to the advancement of our people.” he added.


He said he was particularly struck by what he described as the uncomfortable reality that some educated Igbo elites remain so captive to ethnic sentiment that they inadvertently rationalise, excuse or promote destructive tendencies simply because such tendencies are presented in the language of ethnic emancipation.

“That, in my respectful view, is not patriotism. It is intellectual bondage.
“And there is perhaps no greater tragedy than when education liberates a man from ignorance, but sentiment subsequently chains him to folly.” Ejiofor said.

Ejiofor said the conversation was a genuine heart-to-heart engagement in which they examined a number of misconceptions, misplaced beliefs and circumstances that had continued to make the people susceptible to manipulation.
He added that he left the engagement encouraged by the belief that he had been able to reach some minds which, in turn, could help correct dangerous impressions circulating within society.

However, he said that shortly after the meeting, he went online to catch up with the day’s trending stories and was deeply troubled by what he encountered.

“I read statements from persons whom I had hitherto considered sufficiently educated and discerning to appreciate the enormous consequences of every word they publish. Yet, once again, I witnessed the familiar spectacle of people attempting to rewrite realities that have left bloodstains upon the conscience of our land.” he added.

He said there are moments in the life of a people when silence becomes complicity, sentiment becomes self-deception, and misplaced loyalty becomes an accomplice to the very destruction it claims to resist.

According to Ejiofor, Nigerian courts are courts of law, while international courts and tribunals, where their jurisdiction properly arises, are equally bound by law.

He stressed that evidence, rather than propaganda, sentiment, social-media theatrics or ethnic sentimentality, must ultimately determine guilt or innocence.

Invoking a traditional maxim, he said:
“When the masquerade dances in the marketplace, it must be prepared to answer the questions of the villagers.”

Ejiofor also recalled the alarms raised, condemnations issued and cries of anguish that reverberated across Igbo communities when a bounty was publicly placed on his head by Simon Ekpa, whom he described as a now self-proclaimed “content creator,” and persons associated with his campaign of violent criminality.

He expressed disappointment that some people who proudly identify as Igbo, including members of the legal profession, now publicly praise or celebrate individuals whose activities, according to him, have been associated with bloodshed, violence and devastation in the homeland.

“Today, I watch with profound amazement and disappointment as some persons who proudly identify as Igbo, including some members of the legal profession, publicly praise or celebrate persons whose activities have been associated with grave bloodshed, violence and devastation in our homeland.
“Apparently, in this strange theatre of selective morality, a man can be associated with bloodshed and still be canonised by social media, provided he has the right ethnic vocabulary and the right number of admirers.” the human rights lawyer said.

He cautioned against defending wrongdoing merely because the perpetrator speaks the same language or belongs to the same ethnic group.

“He who dances upon the grave of another should remember that the earth beneath his feet is the same earth that will eventually receive him.
“I do not pray for anybody’s destruction. I do not ask that evil be repaid with evil. My prayer is simply that every man who knowingly participated in, encouraged, financed, celebrated or otherwise enabled evil will one day confront the full moral, legal and historical consequences of his choices. For whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” he added.

Ejiofor urged the people to stop defending what is wrong simply because the perpetrator speaks their language, warning that history does not forget.

He said:
“Let nobody imagine that history has gone to sleep.
“The land remembers. The victims remember. History remembers.
“And when the dust of propaganda finally settles, only truth will remain standing.”
He concluded by praying for healing, restoration and wisdom for the people, while calling for a clear distinction between a genuine struggle for justice and those who exploit legitimate grievances to promote violence.
“May God heal our land, restore the dignity of our people, comfort the bereaved, and grant us the wisdom to distinguish genuine struggle for justice from the dangerous merchants of death who exploit our legitimate grievances for their own ends.”

Senator Uche Ekwunife: The Politics of Impact, Compassion and Courage

Titus Maduako Eleweke

When public service is measured not only by the offices occupied, but by the lives touched

In Nigerian politics, public office is often discussed in the language of power: positions won, influence acquired, alliances built and elections contested.

Yet there is another, more enduring way to judge political leadership,by asking a deceptively simple question: What difference did the politician make in the lives of the people?

It is through that lens that the political journey of Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, popularly known as Iyom Uche Ekwunife, deserves serious consideration.

Her story is not merely that of a woman who entered politics, won elections and occupied important public positions. It is the story of a politician who has navigated the difficult terrain of Nigerian politics with unusual persistence, experienced both triumph and disappointment,built a formidable grassroots following, and, above all, cultivated a public identity closely associated with philanthropy, empowerment and community development.

Ekwunife's journey,from banking into elective politics, from the House of Representatives to the Senate, and from electoral setbacks back into public relevance,offers a useful case study in political resilience and the evolving role of women in Nigerian public life.

But her most compelling political argument may not be found in the titles she has held.

It lies in the relationship she has built with ordinary people.

From Banking to the Political Arena

Before entering politics, Ekwunife established herself in the banking sector, reportedly rising to management level.

Her professional experience in finance and administration provided a foundation for her transition into the considerably more unpredictable world of politics.

In 2007, she was elected to represent the Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. She was re-elected in 2011, giving her two terms and eight years of experience in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

That achievement is significant in its own right.
Nigerian politics has historically been dominated by men, and women who seek to establish durable political careers frequently confront structural, financial and cultural barriers that their male counterparts may not encounter to the same degree.

Ekwunife's rise therefore carries significance beyond her individual political ambition. It represents the capacity of Nigerian women to compete, negotiate, legislate and remain relevant in an environment that can be exceptionally unforgiving.

Her political career eventually took her to the Senate, where she represented Anambra Central. Her 2015 election was subsequently nullified following a legal challenge, after which Victor Umeh emerged from the resulting electoral process.

Rather than withdraw permanently from public life, Ekwunife returned to the Senate in 2019 after defeating Umeh in the Anambra Central contest.

That episode is central to understanding her political character.
The Politics of Resilience
Politics tests more than popularity. It tests temperament.

Few things expose a politician's character more clearly than defeat. Victory creates admirers; adversity reveals stamina.

Ekwunife has experienced both sides of that political equation. She has contested major elections, endured political realignments, faced legal challenges and suffered setbacks that could easily have ended a less determined political career.

Instead, she regrouped.
Her return to the Senate in 2019 was therefore more than another electoral victory. It demonstrated an important quality in political leadership,the ability to treat defeat as an event rather than a permanent identity.

That resilience has particular significance for women in politics. In a political system where women's participation remains comparatively limited, the ability of a woman to survive electoral setbacks, rebuild political networks and return to national office is itself a form of political testimony.

Ekwunife's career consequently challenges the assumption that political relevance must follow a straight line.

Sometimes, the road to political significance is marked not only by victories, but also by the courage to begin again.

Beyond the Ballot: The Politics of Impact

The strongest argument made by Ekwunife's admirers is that her politics has never been confined to election seasons.

Her public profile has long been associated with interventions directed at women, young people, widows, vulnerable families and communities.

Reports have attributed to her a range of empowerment initiatives, skills-acquisition programmes, employment facilitation and community-development interventions.

The Sun, for example, reported that she had supported widows with houses and promoted extensive empowerment initiatives for women and youths.

These claims should, as with any account of political achievement, be assessed critically and distinguished from independently verified government expenditure or project-completion records. But they remain important to understanding why she has developed such a strong grassroots identity.

There is a broader philosophical point here,one that goes beyond Ekwunife herself.

Politics becomes meaningful when citizens can connect public authority to improvements in their everyday lives.

A road is not merely a constituency project to the farmer who needs to transport produce to market.

A renovated school is not simply an item in a government budget to the child who now learns in a safer and more dignified environment.

A skills-acquisition programme is not merely a political event to the young person who acquires the capacity to earn an income.

And a grant or economic intervention is not merely philanthropy to a woman who uses it to establish a sustainable livelihood.

This is the deeper meaning of grassroots politics, translating the abstract language of government into tangible human outcomes.

Representation Is More Than Legislation

There is sometimes an unfortunate tendency to measure legislators only by the number of bills they sponsor or the speeches they deliver on the floor of Parliament.
Those things matter.But representation is broader.

A legislator is also expected to identify the needs of constituents, advocate for them within government, facilitate legitimate development interventions, monitor public programmes and maintain a meaningful connection with the communities whose interests they represent.

This distinction is important when evaluating Ekwunife's record.

Various reports have associated her periods of legislative representation with roads, community infrastructure, empowerment programmes and other interventions.

A constituency-project database, for example, lists projects associated with her representation in Anambra Central involving poverty alleviation, youth training, solar infrastructure and empowerment initiatives.

The appropriate conclusion, however, is not that a legislator personally constructs every project associated with his or her constituency. That would misunderstand how public administration works.

The more defensible argument is that an effective legislator can facilitate, advocate, attract and monitor public investment in response to identifiable community needs.

By that standard, Ekwunife's supporters can reasonably point to a development-oriented dimension of her representation.

Women, Youths and the Meaning of Empowerment

Perhaps no area better illustrates the humanitarian dimension of Ekwunife's public image than her emphasis on women and young people.

Nigeria cannot achieve inclusive development if large sections of its population remain economically dependent or excluded from meaningful participation in decision-making.

Empowerment, therefore, should not be understood simply as the distribution of temporary assistance.
Its real value lies in what happens afterwards.
When a woman receives support that enables her to establish a small enterprise, the intervention has the potential to create independence.

When a young person acquires a marketable skill, the benefit can extend beyond the individual to the family and the wider community.

When an unemployed person gains access to an economic opportunity, the result can be dignity, confidence and reduced dependence on political patronage.

The best form of political compassion is not perpetual dependency. It is the creation of pathways through which people can increasingly stand on their own.

This is why Ekwunife's reported emphasis on skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and youth and women empowerment is an important component of her public-service narrative.

The title Iyom has also become strongly associated with Ekwunife's grassroots political identity. Accounts of her political career have repeatedly emphasised her accessibility and connection with ordinary people.

The Guardian, for instance, described her as having developed a strong relationship with the masses during her years in the House of Representatives and Senate.
This aspect of politics is often underestimated.

Institutions matter. Policies matter. Budgets matter. Legislation matters.
But people also remember how political leaders made them feel.

They remember the representative who listened.

They remember the politician who came when a family was in difficulty.

They remember the person who helped a child remain in school.

They remember the intervention that enabled a small business to survive.

They remember the road that connected their community to a larger economic network.

And they remember whether their elected representative remained accessible after the election.

Political legitimacy is therefore not created only in Parliament. It is also created through the accumulated memory of citizens.

That may explain why some politicians maintain significant political relevance even after leaving office.

From Constituency Politics to Regional Leadership

Ekwunife's political experience has also extended beyond the immediate boundaries of electoral representation.

She has served as Director-General of the South-East Governors' Forum, placing her in a regional policy environment concerned with issues such as infrastructure, economic cooperation, transportation, energy and development.

This represents an important progression.

A politician who begins with constituency representation must eventually confront questions that cannot be solved at constituency level.

How does the South-East improve its infrastructure?

How can its economic potential be better integrated?

How can regional cooperation become more effective?

How can political leadership move from individual projects to institutional development?

These are the questions that separate the politics of immediate intervention from the politics of long-term transformation.

Ekwunife's trajectory therefore provides evidence of a political career that has operated at several levels,community, constituency, state, national and regional.

The Need for Accountability

An honest assessment of any political career must make room for criticism.

Ekwunife's career has not been free of controversy. Her political realignments and fierce electoral battles have attracted criticism, just as they have attracted loyal supporters.

That should not be ignored.
Neither should admiration become a substitute for accountability.

A politician should be praised where evidence supports praise, questioned where questions are justified, and judged by the totality of his or her record rather than by partisan loyalty or partisan hostility.

This is particularly important when discussing philanthropy and constituency projects.
The relevant questions should always include:
What was delivered? Who benefited? Was the intervention sustainable? Was public money properly used? Did the intervention address a genuine community need? Did it create lasting value?
These questions do not diminish humanitarian politics.
Indeed, the highest form of political praise is not unquestioning praise. It is the recognition of achievement alongside a demand for transparency, accountability and higher standards.

A Larger Question About Public Service

The significance of Uche Ekwunife's political career ultimately extends beyond one politician or one senatorial district.
It speaks to a larger question about what Nigerians expect from public office.
Should political leadership be measured only by electoral victory?
Or should the measure also include the communities transformed, the young people empowered, the women supported, the vulnerable protected and the institutions strengthened?

Ekwunife's supporters see in her career a politician who has combined electoral competitiveness with grassroots engagement, legislative experience with philanthropy, and political ambition with a demonstrated desire to remain connected to ordinary citizens.

The Presidency itself, in congratulating her on her 55th birthday in December 2025, described her public endeavours in terms of resilience, service, development and empowerment, while noting her career from banking through the House of Representatives and the Senate.

That recognition does not settle every argument about her record. But it reinforces the broader point: her political career has become significant enough to be understood not merely as a sequence of elections, but as a sustained engagement with public life.

The Case for Service Beyond Office

There is an important distinction between holding office and being useful to society.
A person can hold high office and leave little behind.

Another can lose office and remain deeply relevant because the relationships, institutions and human investments created during public service continue to have meaning.

This is where Ekwunife's political story becomes particularly compelling to those who admire her.
Her greatest political asset may not be a party platform, a title or even an electoral history.
It is the human network she has built over decades.
People are more likely to remain connected to leaders when they believe those leaders were genuinely connected to them.
That is why political loyalty can sometimes survive party changes, electoral defeats and periods outside elected office. Political parties may change. Alliances may shift. Electoral fortunes may rise and fall.
But the memory of service can endure.

The Measure That Matters

Ultimately, the most important question about Uche Ekwunife is not whether every decision she has made in politics was perfect.

No serious assessment of public leadership should demand perfection.
The better question is whether her years in public life have produced meaningful value for society,and whether the experience, resilience and commitment she has accumulated can still be deployed in the service of the people.

By the evidence of her legislative career, her political survival, her grassroots engagement and the numerous empowerment and development initiatives associated with her public profile, her admirers have substantial reasons to regard her as a politician whose career has been defined by more than the pursuit of office.

Her story is, in many respects, a story about the changing possibilities for women in Nigerian politics.

It is also a story about resilience.
But above all, it is a story about a fundamental principle:
Political power acquires its greatest legitimacy when it is converted into public value.

That is the enduring argument behind the admiration for Iyom Uche Ekwunife.

Not that she has never stumbled.
Not that she has never faced criticism.
Not that every political choice she has made should escape scrutiny.
Rather, it is that she has remained engaged, remained resilient and, in the judgment of many people who have followed her career, remained committed to the human beings behind the statistics of elections and the abstractions of government.
In the final analysis, the true measure of a political career is not how loudly a politician speaks about the people, nor simply how many elections the politician wins.
It is what remains in the lives of the people after the political noise has faded.

A road that opens an economic pathway.
A school improved for children.
A widow restored to dignity.
A young person equipped with a skill.
A woman enabled to build a livelihood.
A community that feels seen.
A citizen who believes that government has not completely forgotten him or her.
These are the things that give political service its human meaning.
And for those who have witnessed or benefited from the interventions associated with Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, her journey represents a powerful proposition: that politics, at its best, is not merely the competition for power. It is the responsibility to use power in the service of humanity.
That, ultimately, is the most compelling case for remembering Iyom Uche Ekwunife,not simply for the offices she occupied, but for the lives she sought to touch, the people she sought to empower, and the enduring belief that public service should leave society better than it found it.

2027:Anambra born human rights lawyer Ejiofor Warns Against Weaponising Religion to Divide Nigerians


Titus Maduako Eleweke


The Anambra State born human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has stated that the real danger in Nigeria lies in the weaponisation of religion for political mobilisation, social exclusion, sectarian antagonism, or the intimidation of citizens who happen to hold different political or religious convictions.

The human rights lawyer, in a statement titled “WEEKEND MUSINGS: CROSSING THE RUBICON OF RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL INCENDIARISM: THE DANGEROUS RHETORIC OF SHEIKH SANI YAHAYA JINGRI, SENATOR FRANCIS FADAHUNSI, AND THE UNEASY SILENCE OF THOSE WHO PROVIDE THE PLATFORM,” said the reported remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingri, particularly their apparent religiously divisive and exclusionary undertones, demand sober reflection and an unequivocal constitutional response.

According to him, there are moments in the life of a nation when silence ceases to be neutrality and begins to resemble acquiescence.

He noted that the reported remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingri, particularly their apparent religiously divisive and exclusionary undertones, demand sober reflection and an unequivocal constitutional response.

He said that for Nigerians who may underestimate the depth and danger of such rhetoric, the warning signs must not be ignored.

“With the 2027 general elections steadily approaching, words capable of dividing citizens along religious lines can easily be transformed into political weapons in the hands of the unscrupulous,” he said.

“However, Nigeria’s constitutional arrangement is clear. Section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that the Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as a State Religion. Section 42 further prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the ground of religion, among other protected grounds.
“These provisions are not decorative constitutional ornaments. They constitute the foundation upon which citizens of different faiths are expected to coexist as equal citizens under the law,” he said.



He said that as the flames of Christian repudiation, allegedly kindled by the Sheikh’s incendiary rhetoric, continue to rage, Senator Francis Fadahunsi appears to have further raised the temperature of what many Nigerians may expect to witness as the 2027 general elections approach.

According to Ejiofor, to underscore the seriousness of the situation, the Osun State Police Command reportedly intervened and invited him for questioning.

This followed what has been described as a “tea-party razzmatazz” episode, during which, under the guise of an investigation, the Osun State Police Command reportedly allowed him to return home while investigations continued.

He said the people of Osun State, and indeed Nigerians generally, will ultimately be entitled to take stock of the consequences of the threats or inflammatory statements made at the twilight of an electoral contest.

Ejiofor, who holds the traditional title of Dunu-Ezeugosinachi, said what Nigerians are gradually witnessing unfold before their very eyes may be only the beginning of a far more dangerous trajectory unless the nation’s security agencies rise fully and impartially to their constitutional responsibility of protecting the peace, security, and territorial integrity of the Nigerian State.

The statement reads in parts :
"A Sheikh is entitled to preach. A Pastor is entitled to preach. A politician is entitled to speak. Every Nigerian enjoys constitutionally protected freedoms of religion, conscience and expression. But no pulpit, mosque, church, political platform or public office confers a licence to diminish the constitutional citizenship of another Nigerian, incite hatred against fellow citizens, or threaten the life and safety of persons merely because they belong to a different political, religious or ideological persuasion.

History teaches us that societies rarely plunge into serious communal conflict overnight. The process often begins with language. First comes stereotyping; then religious or ethnic labelling; thereafter, fellow citizens are portrayed as enemies; intolerance becomes normalised; and, eventually, words acquire the power to mobilise destructive action.

It is particularly important to point out that the reported presence of two serving Governors at the gathering where these sentiments were expressed by Sheikh is equally deserving of sober reflection. Public officials must appreciate that their presence at a gathering can sometimes confer unintended legitimacy, credibility or political weight upon the platform and, by extension, upon messages conveyed there.

The Federal Government and the relevant security agencies must not wait until inflammatory words metamorphose into inflammatory actions. The appropriate authorities should carefully examine the statements attributed to the individuals concerned, their precise context, intended audience, surrounding circumstances and potential consequences, and determine, strictly in accordance with the law, whether any criminal or other actionable offence has been disclosed.

There is an old and rather unforgiving lesson: one cannot continually pour kerosene around a house and then pretend surprise when somebody eventually strikes a match.

Those entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining public order must therefore act with vigilance, impartiality and courage. The law must apply equally, irrespective of the status, religion, political affiliation or influence of the person involved. Selective enforcement of the law is itself capable of undermining public confidence and emboldening those who believe that power provides immunity.

The time for vigilance is now, not after the damage has been done.

The time for constitutional fidelity is now, not when the country is already engulfed in avoidable crisis.

Nigeria is a constitutional republic in which every citizen is entitled to equal dignity, equal protection and equal citizenship, regardless of faith, ethnicity, political affiliation or social standing.

That principle must remain inviolable".

Police Assault LEADERSHIP Correspondent, Bar Him From Akwa Ibom Government House


Titus Maduako Eleweke

Police operatives manning the gate to the Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo, the state capital, allegedly manhandled a correspondent of LEADERSHIP newspaper and prevented him from gaining access to the Government House.

The incident, according to the journalist, occurred when he visited the Government House to deliver a letter to the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor.

He alleged that the police officers at the gate subjected him to harassment and treated him in an unprofessional manner before ordering him to leave the premises.

The incident followed what appeared to be a stringent and highly restrictive approach to the admission of visitors into the Government House, with security personnel turning back individuals whom they considered to have no legitimate business within the premises.

Reliving his ordeal in the hands of the armed officers, Mr. Iniobong Ekponta, a journalist with LEADERSHIP newspaper, said he was on the premises to deliver a letter to the CPS when the officers allegedly became hostile towards him and questioned his presence.

According to him, a female police officer manning the visitors' register raised an alarm after he had passed through the gate and was proceeding towards the Press Centre, where the CPS's office is located.

He alleged that the officer subsequently called him back and threatened to have him detained at the security post.

Recounting the exchange that followed when he returned to the gate, Ekponta said the officer questioned him, asking:
“Is this your house? Are you working here?”

He said he responded:
“No, I only came to drop a letter.”

According to him, the officer replied:
“Yes, I noticed that your face is strange. That is why I had to return you.”

Ekponta alleged that the alarm raised by the female officer, which he said suggested that he was a suspicious person within the Government House, attracted other male police officers to the scene.

“The alarm she raised, as if I was a common criminal in the Government House that we journalists report on every day, attracted other male officers, who joined in shoving me away from the gate,” he narrated.

The journalist questioned the circumstances under which the Government House, a public institution and a major centre of state administration, had allegedly become inaccessible to journalists and other visitors without specific clearance or an official permit.

He called on the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to look into the incident and prevail on security personnel attached to the Government House to exercise greater civility, restraint and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

According to him, the Government House is not only the administrative centre of the state but also an institution that projects the image and character of Akwa Ibom to residents and visitors.

He therefore urged security personnel stationed there to balance the need for effective security with respect for members of the public and accredited professionals who have legitimate reasons to visit the premises.

Ekponta also appealed to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, led by Comrade Nsibiet Udo John, to intervene in the matter and engage the relevant authorities on the treatment of journalists seeking access to the Government House.

He said such engagement would help establish clear and professional procedures for admitting journalists and other legitimate visitors into the premises, while ensuring that security measures do not undermine the dignity of members of the press or impede their lawful professional responsibilities.

OBODOGWUGWU QUARTERS FIGHTS TO PROTECT ANCESTRAL LAND, SEEKS COURT INTERVENTION

Titus Maduako Eleweke

The people of Obodogwugwu Quarters, Okpanam Kingdom, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, have commenced legal proceedings against the ongoing administrative steps towards a proposed boundary delineation exercise involving Ugbolu Settlement and Okpanam Kingdom.

In Suit No. AKU/47/2026, filed before the High Court of Delta State, the people of Obodogwugwu Quarters, through their solicitors, the Chambers of I. C. Ejiofor & Co., instituted the action against Obi Okolo Iweanya (Obi Ugbolu), representing the settlers and people of Ugbolu.

Other defendants in the suit are the Deputy Governor of Delta State, the Attorney-General of Delta State, the Surveyor-General of Delta State, the Honourable Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, and the Delta State Boundary Technical Committee.

Among other reliefs, the claimants are seeking an injunction restraining the first defendant, Obi Ugbolu, and the people of Ugbolu from further entering the land.

They are also seeking an injunction restraining the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants, whether acting directly or through their agents, from undertaking, supervising, implementing, facilitating or otherwise participating in any boundary identification, delineation, demarcation, adjustment or administrative exercise purporting to establish a common boundary between the Ugbolu settlers and Obodogwugwu Quarters of Okpanam Kingdom.

The claimants are further seeking declaratory reliefs, including a claim for N500 million in damages for alleged trespass.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Concerned Citizens and Representatives of Obodogwugwu Quarters, Okpanam Kingdom, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State, the group said the attention of the people of Obodogwugwu Quarters had been drawn to the ongoing administrative steps towards a proposed boundary delineation exercise involving Ugbolu Settlement and Okpanam Kingdom.

According to the statement, the people had commenced the legal action to safeguard what they regard as their ancestral communal rights and to ensure that all issues arising from the proposed exercise are determined strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.

The statement stated :
“Concerned citizens of Obodogwugwu Quarters have now commenced an action in Suit No. AKU/47/2026, before the High Court of Delta State against the relevant parties, through their solicitors, the Chambers of I. C. Ejiofor & Co. The suit seeks, among other reliefs, judicial pronouncements concerning the parties’ respective rights and the legality of the proposed boundary delineation exercise.”

The claimants maintain in their pleadings that the land known as Ani Uzo-Olu forms part of the ancestral communal estate of Obodogwugwu Quarters and that the proposed delineation is being pursued despite their objection.

They further contend that no historical or customary boundary exists between Ugbolu Settlement and Obodogwugwu Quarters.

According to the release, these are issues that have now been properly submitted for judicial determination, and the Court alone will determine them after considering the evidence and applicable law.

The group said its decision to approach the Court was neither an act of hostility nor an attempt to frustrate lawful governance, but rather a reflection of its confidence in the Judiciary as the constitutional institution entrusted with the peaceful resolution of disputes.

The statement further read in part:
“We therefore respectfully call upon the Government of Delta State, all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and every public officer connected with the proposed exercise to refrain from taking any further administrative or physical steps capable of altering the existing situation pending the determination of the suit now before the Court.
“The principle is well established that where a dispute has become the subject of pending judicial proceedings, every responsible public authority should exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of rendering the proceedings nugatory or presenting the Court with a fait accompli.
“Respect for the judicial process is indispensable to constitutional governance and the maintenance of public confidence in the administration of justice.
“We equally appeal to the people of Obodogwugwu Quarters, the people of Okpanam Kingdom, the inhabitants of Ugbolu Settlement, and members of the general public to remain peaceful and law-abiding and to refrain from any act capable of escalating tensions.
“No disagreement over land or boundary is worth the breakdown of peace or the loss of human life.
“We also urge traditional institutions, community leaders, youth bodies, women’s groups, and all stakeholders to support peaceful coexistence while allowing the Court to discharge its constitutional responsibility without interference, intimidation or external pressure.
“The people of Obodogwugwu Quarters remain committed to the rule of law. We have chosen the path of the Constitution over confrontation, the authority of the Courts over self-help, and justice over conflict.
“Accordingly, we respectfully urge the Delta State Government and all the defendants in the pending proceedings to preserve the existing state of affairs and allow the Court to determine the issues placed before it in accordance with the law.
“History is best preserved through truth. Justice is best secured through due process. Peace is best sustained when every person and every institution submits to the rule of law.”

Igboland Under Siege: Enugu Arrest Uncovers Forest Kidnapping Network

Titus Maduako Eleweke

Nigeria human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has commended security operatives for the arrest of an alleged commander of a jihadist terror network operating in the forests of Enugu State.

Ejiofor made the commendation in his latest Midweek Musings, titled “Alaigbo Under Siege: The Forests Must No Longer Be Safe Havens for Jihadist Kidnapping Networks How Jihadist Kidnapping Networks Are Infiltrating Enugu Communities and Alaigbo in General Under the Cover of Cattle Rearing,” issued on Wednesday.

According to the human rights lawyer, the latest security breakthrough in Enugu State has once again exposed what he described as a deeply disturbing security reality,criminal and terrorist networks are allegedly exploiting forested areas as hideouts, stockpiling weapons and using difficult terrain as launching pads for kidnapping and other violent crimes.

“No forest should be a sanctuary for terrorists. No community should be a marketplace for ransom. No criminal network should be allowed to establish a parallel authority over our people, and no citizen should be compelled to negotiate with criminals for the right to live,” Ejiofor said.

He said the recovery of sophisticated firearms and ammunition, coupled with the arrest of suspected members of the network during coordinated security operations, should not be treated as an isolated incident.

Rather, he argued, the development should serve as a warning requiring sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and decisive action by the relevant security agencies.

The statement reads in part:
It may surprise many who are not familiar with the level of infiltration in our various forests by these jihadist terrorists who operate under the guise of cattle rearing and consequently camp in some of our forests, where they use such locations as cover to launch attacks and kidnapping activities against unsuspecting members of the public.

In the past, this story might have been suppressed or dismissed as alarmism. Today, however, the repeated discovery of criminal hideouts and the arrest of the commander of these jihadist elements within the Garki axis of Enugu State, an area predominantly regarded as a herders’ settlement, as well as the discovery of arms caches, demonstrate that the security challenge is real and demands a sustained, intelligence-led response.

When I raised the alarm about the activities of these jihadist marauders who had gradually established themselves in some forest corridors across the South-East and other parts of the country, some doubters ostensibly undermined the seriousness of the alarm. Reality, unfortunately, has a stubborn way of defeating denial.

Kidnapping is now occurring across too many communities, and victims frequently recount encounters with armed men operating from secluded forest locations, who they always mention as Fulani herdsmen. We must confront these facts honestly, while equally acknowledging that criminality must never be attributed to an entire ethnic group or religious community. The enemy is the armed criminal and terrorist, not the innocent citizen who happens to share his ethnicity, occupation or faith.

The audacity of these criminals is particularly alarming: they have demonstrated the capacity to penetrate communities, approach vulnerable locations-like churches and marketplaces-and target ordinary citizens, including mothers, fathers and children. A forest cannot become a private republic for kidnappers simply because law-abiding citizens are afraid to enter it.

The preventive strategy must include sustained intelligence-led operations to locate, dismantle and permanently deny these jihadist terrorist networks the use of forest corridors as safe havens.

This is not a campaign against an ethnicity.
It is not a campaign against a religion.
It is a campaign for the right of every Nigerian to live, farm, worship and travel without becoming prey to jihadist criminals.

I commend the Enugu State Government and gallant security agencies for the progress recorded so far. But isolated successes are not enough.

The message must therefore be unmistakable:
No forest should be a sanctuary for terrorists.
No community should be a marketplace for ransom.
No criminal network should be allowed to establish a parallel authority over our people.
And no citizen should be compelled to negotiate with criminals for the right to live.

Our land belongs to law-abiding citizens. And the responsibility to reclaim it from criminal occupation belongs to the State.

The time for denial is over.

ALAIGBO MUST BE SAFE AGAIN"

Ejiofor:Rescue of 315 Abducted Nigerians Must Trigger National Security Awakening


Titus Maduako Eleweke

Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has commended the nation’s security operatives for the reported rescue of no fewer than 315 Nigerians who had been abducted by jihadist terrorists in coordinated operations across Kwara, Niger and Ogun States within the space of 24 hours.
According to him, in his Weekend Musings titled, “The Rescue of 315 Abducted Nigerians: A Victory Against Terror, a Painful Indictment of Our National Conscience,” the security agencies deserve the highest commendation.
He said the operation was a remarkable demonstration of courage, professionalism and sacrifice by gallant Nigerian security personnel, whose relentless efforts culminated in the restoration of hope to hundreds of devastated families.
Accordingly, he said that while he wholeheartedly commended the security agencies for the commendable operation, he urged both the Federal and State Governments not to regard the rescue itself as the conclusion of their responsibility.
He said particular attention must also be devoted to the children rescued from the camps, especially those born during captivity.
According to him, these innocent children bear no responsibility whatsoever for the circumstances surrounding their birth.
Ejiofor said they deserve love, acceptance, education and every opportunity to flourish as responsible members of society.
The human rights lawyer said that, for this singular feat, the officers and men involved in the operations merit the gratitude of a grateful nation.
According to him, beyond the celebration lies a far more haunting narrative, one that no civilised society should ever become accustomed to hearing.
“Equally imperative is the provision of carefully designed psychosocial support, counselling and educational orientation to assist them in overcoming whatever indoctrination, manipulation or extremist conditioning they may have been exposed to during captivity.
“Beyond rehabilitation, government should establish a structured programme of meaningful compensation and long-term support for these victims. Such intervention should not be viewed as an act of charity but as a moral and constitutional obligation owed to citizens whose lives were violently interrupted by criminal elements.
“Financial assistance, housing support where necessary, educational scholarships for affected children, healthcare coverage, livelihood restoration and sustained social welfare initiatives would go a long way in restoring hope and rebuilding shattered lives.
“Above all, let this rescue serve not merely as another headline, but as a solemn national awakening,” he said.
According to Ejiofor, the National Chairman of the Kaiama Development Association, Alhaji Yakubu Salihu, said some of the rescued women were found to be pregnant by their captors, while others had given birth during approximately six months of captivity in the terrorists’ enclaves.
That heartbreaking revelation strips away every illusion that rescue alone marks the end of their ordeal.
Indeed, freedom from captivity is only the beginning of another difficult journey.
According to Ejiofor, it is impossible to fully comprehend the unspeakable horrors these women endured during those months of captivity.
He said they were not merely abducted; they were systematically stripped of their dignity, subjected to physical, emotional and psychological torture, and reduced by their captors to mere instruments of exploitation.
“The scars inflicted upon them are not wounds that disappear with liberation; many will remain deeply etched upon their minds and souls for years, if not for a lifetime.
“While families understandably rejoice at embracing their loved ones once again, one cannot ignore the silent burdens these victims now carry home. Some return with children conceived through violence. Others return bearing memories that words can scarcely capture. For many, the kidnappers’ den has ceased to be a geographical location; it has become a permanent psychological battlefield.
“Perhaps the greatest tragedy is not merely that these atrocities occurred, but that they have become disturbingly familiar in our national discourse. We have gradually reached a point where news of mass abductions competes with other headlines for public attention, and where the rescue of hundreds is celebrated without an equally profound national reflection on why so many innocent citizens were allowed to descend into such hellish captivity in the first place,” he said.
What a tragic paradox, he said, a nation now applauds the rescue of hundreds of its citizens from terrorists, while scarcely pausing to ask why so many were available to be rescued after months of unimaginable suffering.
According to him,the celebration is akin to celebrating the extinguishing of a raging inferno while ignoring the negligence that allowed the fire to consume the entire neighbourhood.
He said the sobering reality underscores the urgent necessity for proactive intelligence gathering, a strengthened security architecture, enhanced community policing and sustained inter-agency collaboration aimed at preventing these horrific incidents before they occur.
The human rights lawyer added that the true measure of national security is not merely the number of hostages rescued, but the number of citizens protected from ever falling into captivity.
He warned that the rescue should serve not merely as another headline, but as a solemn national awakening.
“As we celebrate the courage of our security personnel, let there be an unwavering commitment to building a society where no mother is forced to endure the unspeakable horrors of captivity or bear the child of terror; no child grows up behind the walls of a kidnapper’s camp; and no family spends months suspended between hope and despair, uncertain whether their loved ones will ever return alive,” he added.

COOUTH Fires Back at Social Media Narrative Over Pregnant Woman’s Death, Details Medical Findings


Titus Maduako Eleweke

The Management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, has set the record straight regarding the circumstances surrounding the demiss of a patient, Mrs. Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi, whose case, according to the hospital, had initially been managed at a private hospital before she was brought to the teaching hospital.
The management frowned at what it described as a negative and misleading narrative circulating on social media, which it said was capable of tarnishing the reputation of the hospital and the healthcare professionals involved in the patient’s care.
The hospital therefore urged members of the public to verify information before sharing or using unverified claims to attack the institution or its personnel.
COOUTH described the social media narrative surrounding the patient’s demiss as unfortunate and misleading, stressing that the hospital remains committed to best medical practices, ethical standards and evidence-based healthcare delivery.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Office of COOUTH, Amaku, Awka, the patient presented at the hospital at 14 weeks of pregnancy. Contrary to claims that she was admitted primarily for “cold and catarrh,” the hospital said its records showed that she was brought to the facility after she had been managed at a private hospital for generalized body swelling and difficulty in breathing.
The statement explained that further investigations conducted at COOUTH revealed significant anaemia, with a packed cell volume (PCV) of 20 per cent, proteinuria of 3+ (+++), haematuria of 3+ (+++), and pleural effusion.
Based on the clinical findings and laboratory investigations, the medical team diagnosed the patient with nephrotic syndrome.
According to the hospital, nephrotic syndrome is a serious kidney condition that can be associated with significant maternal and foetal risks, particularly in a pregnant patient.
The statement further explained that, following a comprehensive clinical evaluation and a review by a multidisciplinary medical team, the patient’s husband was counselled on the need to terminate the pregnancy in the interest of preserving his wife’s life.
However, both the patient and her husband initially declined the recommendation of the medical team.
The hospital stated that the patient was subsequently transfused with three units of blood, following which her blood level improved.
She also received other multidisciplinary medical interventions and supportive care as part of the management of her condition.
However, the hospital said the patient’s clinical condition subsequently deteriorated and she eventually lapsed into unconsciousness.
According to the statement, the husband then gave consent on the same day for the termination of the pregnancy.
The multidisciplinary medical team, the hospital said, immediately commenced preparations to carry out the procedure.
“Sadly, despite these efforts, the patient passed away later that same day, before the termination of pregnancy could be performed,” the statement said.
The hospital explained that the unfortunate outcome was associated with the progression of the patient’s severe underlying medical condition, rather than the minor ailment portrayed in some social media reports.
COOUTH expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, praying that God grants her soul eternal rest.
The management also extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Mrs. Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi and said it shared in their grief during the difficult period.
However, while acknowledging the public interest generated by the incident, the hospital urged individuals and social media users to refrain from circulating unverified and misleading information that could cause unnecessary public anxiety or damage the reputation of healthcare professionals and institutions committed to saving lives.
The management stressed that COOUTH remains committed to ethical, evidence-based medical practice and will continue to provide quality healthcare services in accordance with the highest professional standards.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to respecting patient confidentiality while providing appropriate medical care to patients entrusted to the institution.
In the statement, the hospital reiterated:
“Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, has noted with concern the misleading narratives circulating on social media regarding the unfortunate demise of Mrs. Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi.
“Contrary to claims that the patient presented to our hospital at 14 weeks of pregnancy with ‘cold and catarrh,’ hospital records show that she presented to our facility after having been managed at a private hospital for generalized body swelling and difficulty in breathing.
“Further investigations conducted at our hospital revealed significant anaemia, with a packed cell volume (PCV) of 20%, proteinuria of 3+ (+++), haematuria of 3+ (+++), and pleural effusion. Based on these clinical findings and investigations, a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome was made.”
The hospital maintained that the circumstances surrounding the patient’s demiss should be understood within the context of her documented medical condition and the treatment provided at the facility, rather than through unverified accounts circulating on social media.

After Plateau Massacre, Ejiofor Calls for Lawful Action to End Violence

Titus Maduako Eleweke


Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged all Nigerians to deploy lawful and constitutional means to halt the country's relentless cycle of violence before more communities are plunged into irreversible devastation.
According to the human rights lawyer, Nigeria owes its citizens not merely condolences after tragedy, but the unwavering protection that every sovereign nation is duty-bound to provide.
Ejiofor made the call in his weekly sermon titled, "MIDWEEK MUSINGS: THE ESCALATING TIDE OF GENOCIDAL ATROCITIES: MASS BURIAL OF 27 VICTIMS OF JIHADIST TERROR AS NIGERIA'S CONSCIENCE STANDS TRIAL," following the devastating attack on Naridan, a predominantly farming border community between Kaduna State and Ganawuri in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The senior lawyer, who also holds the traditional title of Dunu-Ezeugosinachi, lamented what he described as coordinated online attacks against Catholic bishops following their candid audience with the Presidency.
According to Ejiofor, a few days ago Nigeria was confronted with yet another harrowing spectacle, one that should have shaken the conscience of every citizen and every institution entrusted with the sacred responsibility of preserving human life.
He noted that it was neither a festive gathering nor the joyous celebration of a mass wedding often witnessed in many communities. Rather, it was a solemn and heart-rending requiem conducted by the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, where 27 innocent Christians, reportedly victims of yet another brutal attack in Kaduna State, were laid to rest in a single mass burial.
According to him, reports indicate that the attack, which culminated in the tragic burials, occurred at about 11:00 p.m. on Sunday when armed jihadist terrorists invaded Naridan, a predominantly farming border community between Kaduna State and Ganawuri in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He said at least 30 persons, including women and children, were murdered during the attack. Homes were set ablaze, while several residents were abducted as families slept helplessly in the darkness.
"Their only 'crime' was existing in communities that have, for years, borne the crushing weight of relentless violence. They were fathers and mothers, children and youths, husbands and wives, farmers and artisans—ordinary Nigerians whose dreams, aspirations, and futures were violently extinguished. They were citizens no different from you or me, whose fundamental constitutional right to life was brutally denied by those who continue to unleash terror with alarming impunity," he said.
Ejiofor stated that the haunting image of 27 coffins arranged in mournful silence is not merely a photograph but a profound indictment of a nation steadily becoming desensitized to recurring mass killings.
He described the scene as a chilling reminder that, beyond political slogans and official assurances, lies a tragic reality that refuses to disappear.
According to the statement, history teaches that every genocide begins with the normalization of repeated atrocities and the collective silence that follows them.
The statement reads in part:
"Rwanda did not descend into catastrophe overnight. Bosnia's darkest chapters were preceded by years of ignored warning signs. Across history, societies that failed to confront systematic violence at its formative stages ultimately paid an unimaginable price. Nigeria must resist travelling that perilous path.
"One cannot behold those rows of coffins without arriving at the painful conclusion that Nigeria is facing a grievous security crisis. Whether one characterizes the violence as terrorism, insurgency, or coordinated criminality, the undeniable reality is that innocent lives continue to be lost on a scale that should provoke sustained national outrage. Yet, disturbingly, the urgency of this humanitarian tragedy increasingly appears to be overshadowed by the political calculations and permutations surrounding the 2027 general elections.
"The news of these devastating killings briefly occupied newspaper headlines and social media timelines before being swallowed by the next cycle of political controversy. Such recurring national amnesia is both dangerous and tragic. A country that quickly forgets its dead inadvertently encourages the cycle that continues to produce them.
"Equally disturbing is the reaction that followed the recent visit of the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria to the Presidency. Rather than receiving commendation for courageously conveying the painful realities confronting millions of Nigerians, several bishops became the targets of intense criticism and coordinated online bullying after honestly expressing the grave concerns of citizens over insecurity and the worsening national condition.
"Religious leaders occupy a unique moral space in every democratic society. Their prophetic and pastoral responsibility has never been to flatter those in authority but to speak the truth with courage, compassion, and fidelity to conscience. Throughout history, men and women of faith have often stood as the final moral compass when political institutions struggled to confront uncomfortable realities.
"A government genuinely committed to solving national problems should welcome sincere criticism, particularly from respected institutions whose only interest is the preservation of human dignity and national stability. Honest counsel should never be mistaken for hostility. Constructive criticism remains one of democracy's indispensable safeguards.
"The time for measured but decisive action is now. The blood of innocent Nigerians should awaken our collective conscience, not merely our emotions. National security must once again become the foremost priority of the State. Every lawful resource, every constitutional mechanism, and every available intelligence capability must be deployed to halt this relentless cycle of violence before even more communities are plunged into irreversible devastation.
"Nigeria owes its citizens not merely condolences after tragedy, but the unwavering protection that every sovereign nation is duty-bound to provide."

COOUTH Rebuts Viral Allegations with Open Inspection, Highlights



Titus Maduako Eleweke



Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH),Amaku Awka,said it is unfortunate when anyone, particularly a professional, chooses to mislead the public by making false claims about an institution. It is even more troubling when such misinformation is directed at an institution whose leadership is making significant strides in transforming its operations and service delivery.
This became evident when a former staff member of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Charles Kenechukwu, who now resides in Canada, appeared on a social media podcast and made several allegations about the hospital.
According to him, the hospital was in a deplorable state, with pothole-ridden access roads, a dilapidated gate, foul-smelling wards, and an unequipped trauma centre that had yet to commence operations.
He further made several other negative remarks about the hospital, claiming that the Governor of Anambra State was unaware of its current condition because he had never visited the facility to assess the situation firsthand.
He also alleged that if the governor had ever visited the hospital, even for a routine medical check such as checking his blood pressure, he would have realized that the hospital lacked essential medical equipment.
Disturbed by what they described as misleading and damaging statements made by someone who should exercise professionalism and caution in commenting on a medical institution, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, and the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, promptly invited journalists to inspect the hospital and verify the claims independently.
The inspection tour was intended to establish whether there were indeed potholes on the hospital roads, whether the wards emitted offensive odours, and whether the trauma centre, though yet to be commissioned, was unequipped as alleged.
During the inspection, journalists observed that all the internal roads within the hospital had been asphalted about two years earlier and remained in good condition, with no visible potholes. They also found that the wards were clean and free from the offensive odours as alleged by Dr. Kenechukwu.
Furthermore, the journalists observed notable improvements in the hospital under the leadership of the current Chief Medical Director . Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu.
These included significant infrastructural development, the acquisition of modern medical equipment, improved staff welfare, enhanced accountability, and strengthened discipline within the institution.
The media team gathered that the hospital was undergoing remarkable transformation and steadily positioning itself as a modern healthcare institution and a centre of excellence.
Speaking during the inspection tour, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, expressed disappointment over what he described as Dr. Kenechukwu's misleading comments about the teaching hospital.
According to the commissioner, he became aware of the comments on Thursday while he was in Abuja and immediately decided to invite journalists and the podcaster to inspect the hospital so that the public could independently verify the claims.
He explained that he did not want to delay the inspection because doing so could have created the false impression that the government hurriedly carried out renovations after the allegations were made.
According to him, he was convinced that the allegations did not reflect the true situation at the hospital and believed it was important to address them promptly in the interest of the public.
He maintained that the Anambra State Government remains deliberate and committed to transforming the teaching hospital into one of the best healthcare institutions in Nigeria, adding that the government's commitment to improving healthcare delivery for the people of Anambra does not depend on public criticism or unfounded comments.
He said:
"Dr. Kenechukwu claimed that once you enter Amaku, the potholes on the road would almost give you trauma. We started our inspection from the main gate and walked through the hospital to the wards and the trauma centre. There is not a single pothole anywhere within the hospital premises. The governor reconstructed and asphalted these roads about two years ago, and they are still in excellent condition.
"He also alleged that the wards are smelling. We have gone round the wards, and there is no offensive odour anywhere. He equally made comments about the hospital gate and several other issues that are simply not consistent with the reality on the ground.
"We have made tremendous improvements in this hospital. Interestingly, Dr. Kenechukwu is my friend. I have even discussed with him the possibility of supporting us through telemedicine consultations from Canada, and he agreed in principle. We are still looking forward to that collaboration."
The commissioner further wondered who would provide healthcare services to Nigerians if every qualified professional chose to leave the country permanently.
He also disclosed that during the inspection, the team visited the doctors' call rooms and found them to be in good condition.
He noted that oxygen is now piped directly to the wards, eliminating the need to move oxygen cylinders from one point to another before attending to patients.
Speaking on the trauma centre, Dr. Obidike stated that although it is yet to be formally commissioned, it has already been equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities, including a 64-slice CT scanner and fully equipped operating theatres for surgical and emergency procedures.
He added that the facility is designed to provide comprehensive trauma and emergency care once officially inaugurated.

According to him, the orthopedic beds are available at the hospital, and he does not know where Dr. Kenechukwu obtained his information about the facility.
"I don't know what his interest is in trying to destroy the reputation of a purposeful, hardworking governor and the CMD. Maybe he is not busy because, when a doctor is busy, he will not have time for gossip. As a consultant, he should be reading, treating patients, and conducting research. These responsibilities are enough to keep anyone occupied. Perhaps he has nothing meaningful to do, which is why he has resorted to social media to discredit people and make claims he is not sure of," he said.
The commissioner, however, thanked the governor for the massive investment in the hospital.
He said the state government was making deliberate investments to improve healthcare delivery, expressing confidence that within the next four to five years, the state would be producing some of the best medical professionals in the country.
He also stated that, as part of efforts to boost staff welfare, the governor had increased the salaries of health workers across the state.
According to him, Dr. Kenechukwu's claim that health workers are poorly paid is mischievous and unfounded.
"Last year, the governor increased the salaries of health workers in the state. Today, Anambra State doctors are the highest-paid in Nigeria, earning even more than their counterparts in the Federal Government. In terms of recruitment, we have employed over 200 personnel across the primary and tertiary healthcare systems in the state," he said.
According to him, Dr. Kenechukwu is invited to visit the hospital and tour its facilities to personally witness the level of transformation that has taken place.
Speaking on oxygen supply, he said the state had established a new oxygen plant at Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital, which is effectively serving the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH).
"However, I am not angry with him because he left many years ago and may not be aware of the developments that have taken place in the hospital over the years. What disappoints me is that, if he was in doubt or lacked adequate information, he should have asked questions. He claimed that the trauma centre is not equipped, but today you entered the facility and saw the equipment. Although it has not yet been commissioned, it has been fully equipped. You have all seen the facility for yourselves," he added.
The commissioner said he did not want to dwell on previous administrations but noted that the condition of the healthcare system before the Soludo administration was far from satisfactory.
"Government is a continuum, but before the Soludo administration, we all knew the situation we inherited in most of our general hospitals, including COOUTH. Many primary healthcare centres across the state did not have a single doctor, and many facilities had been abandoned. I only wish that if someone travels abroad and returns home, he should first ask questions before making public statements. He also claimed that doctors at the teaching hospital are poorly paid, whereas we actually pay them more than the Federal Government," he said.
He explained that the inspection tour was impromptu and intended to demonstrate that the government had nothing to hide regarding the condition of the hospital.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, . Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu said she invited journalists to witness firsthand the transformation taking place at COOUTH, Amaku.
According to her:"The commissioner called me this morning regarding the false information trending on social media about the hospital. He informed me that a podcaster, Dan Baba, was coming, and I decided to invite members of the media so they could witness the true situation themselves. I did not want it to appear as though we had secretly invited him to say good things about us. We decided to make everything open and transparent so everyone could come and see. Since I assumed office, I have always worked openly with the media."
"For the past two hours, we have been moving around the hospital. We started from the main gate. The person who spoke about Amaku claimed that there were huge potholes on the access road and that vehicles would be damaged while entering the hospital. You have all seen the road yourselves. If there are any potholes within the hospital premises, then perhaps they have suddenly become invisible today."
She said the hospital management maintains a clean environment by cutting the grass every two weeks to ensure patients enjoy a healthy environment while also reducing mosquito infestation through regular fumigation.
"You have also seen the ongoing renovation at the emergency ward, including the installation of piped oxygen. Anyone who says Amaku smells is simply not telling the truth.
"This visit was impromptu. I was informed only this morning. You have all toured the wards. Did any of you notice any offensive smell?
"We brought you here so you could see for yourselves that, apart from the ongoing improvements, we are transforming Amaku into an institution of excellence," she added.
According to the CMD, the hospital has introduced a smart card system to digitise its operations.
She said Wi-Fi is available throughout the hospital, and anyone given the password can access the internet.
She also disclosed that the hospital had strengthened accountability by engaging an independent company, Nuclear Association, to handle revenue collection, while hospital staff now only supervise the process.
"When I assumed office, I saw POS machines everywhere and wondered why they were scattered all over the hospital. I also noticed that patients were carrying cash to make payments, and electronic transfers were hardly encouraged. I therefore engaged professionals to collect payments on behalf of the hospital. As soon as payments are made, the money goes directly into the hospital's account.
"Since Monday, many people have been trooping into the hospital for breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer screenings as part of activities marking the birthdays of our governor and his wife."
She urged journalists to interact with patients and staff in various wards to verify the innovations being introduced across the hospital.
She stated that since assuming office, she had procured several medical equipment, adding that only last week Governor Charles Soludo approved the purchase of medical equipment worth N500 million for the hospital.
The CMD also revealed that Governor Soludo had approved the accreditation of additional programmes at the hospital following discussions she held with him after assuming office.
According to her, it is painful that while the governor is working tirelessly to improve healthcare, some individuals continue to spread false information on social media.
"Honestly, I do not know why he did what he did. I learnt he was once a member of staff here and a medical doctor. I was told today that he worked here before relocating abroad.
"Since I came on board, I have introduced many reforms to move the hospital forward. I told both staff and management that we must make this institution a centre of excellence and integrity. To be honest,there were practices I met on the ground that had to stop.
"Since I assumed office, we have strengthened many systems. We have stopped several sharp practices within the hospital. Indiscipline was at a very high level, and we are working hard to eliminate it," she added.
Reacting to whether the hospital would take legal action against him, she said there was no need to be distracted.
"He actually spoke against the governor. When you are busy working, you simply ignore distractions," she said.
She also expressed shock that a medical doctor could make such allegations.
According to her, if he is truly practising medicine in Canada, he should not have the time to engage in spreading falsehoods on social media.
"I know that doctors are extremely busy. Many doctors struggle to find time even for themselves. Apart from attending to patients, there is research to conduct and clinical trials to pursue.
"Two weeks ago, I was in the United States, where I met with the Association of Nigerian Physicians. They contacted me again two days ago to discuss possible collaboration with the hospital.
"That is what a doctor living abroad should be discussing,how to collaborate and improve healthcare back home,not spreading falsehoods to destroy hardworking people. He should be talking about partnerships, philanthropy and bringing home the knowledge and experience he has gained overseas, if he is truly practising medicine," she stated.
She maintained that for a doctor practising abroad to devote significant time to spreading falsehoods about a healthcare institution on social media raises more questions than answers.
According to her, all the allegations made against the hospital are false and completely unfounded.
"Honestly, I must admit that I am disturbed that a medical doctor could publicly make statements that are completely false," she said.
She thanked Governor Charles Soludo for the trauma centre, describing it as a remarkable achievement.
According to her, establishing a standard trauma centre is not an easy undertaking because many requirements must be met before such a facility can become operational.
She added that the trauma centre is not only intended to serve Anambra State but also patients from across the South-East and South-South regions.




Some of the patients admitted that they are now receiving better healthcare services in a more conducive environment than they did in the past.
Mrs. Margaret Udeozo, who spoke with our correspondent, said there have been significant improvements at COOUTH/Amaku Teaching Hospital. According to her, in the past, accessing quality healthcare at the facility often depended on knowing someone within the system.
She explained that, before the recent improvements, she would not have considered visiting Amaku Teaching Hospital for cervical cancer screening because of the poor perception of the hospital's services.
However, the noticeable changes in service delivery and the hospital environment encouraged her to take advantage of the screening exercise.
Another patient, Chief Patrick Ojukwu, said the hospital is gradually regaining its lost glory.
According to him, the teaching hospital was previously in a deplorable state and had little to inspire public confidence.
"I am grateful for the changes I am witnessing in the hospital today. The services are now very efficient, and the system is working effectively," he said.
Chief Ojukwu added that the remarkable improvements at the hospital may have contributed to the overwhelming turnout for the cancer screening programme.
He noted that, in the past, only a few people would have attended such an exercise because many lacked confidence in the quality of services provided by the hospital.
However, he believes the renewed public trust resulting from the ongoing improvements has encouraged more people to seek healthcare services at the facility.

Ejiofor Sets Record Straight: I Withdrew as Nnamdi Kanu's Lawyer in 2023


Titus Maduako Eleweke


Renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has finally broken his silence, stating that he personally withdrew from the legal representation of Nnamdi Kanu in December 2023.

Ejiofor explained that Nnamdi Kanu never independently appointed him and his legal team as solicitors to IPOB. According to him, his limited role in their appointment arose solely from his position as Kanu's personal lawyer, a role from which he formally disengaged in December 2023.

His clarification followed the circulation of a purported letter allegedly issued by Nnamdi Kanu, claiming to have sacked Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor as IPOB's lawyer.
Ejiofor stated that his last court appearance for Kanu was in December 2023, after which he completely withdrew from representing him.
Ejiofor made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday titled:
"SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: I PERSONALLY WITHDREW FROM NNAMDI KANU'S LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN DECEMBER 2023: NO ROOM FOR MISCHIEF: THE FACTS CONCERNING MY LEGAL MANDATE FROM IPOB."
He further stated that, for the avoidance of doubt, he has not represented Nnamdi Kanu in any capacity whatsoever since December 2023, whether as his personal counsel, family lawyer, or in any other professional capacity.
According to Ejiofor, any attempt to suggest otherwise is, at best, a deliberate distortion of the facts and, at worst, a calculated narrative designed to serve ulterior and mischievous purposes.
"For the avoidance of doubt, and for the sake of clarity, I wish to state unequivocally that I personally disengaged myself from the legal representation of Nnamdi Kanu in every capacity since December 2023, long before his eventual conviction and the subsequent sentence to life imprisonment," he said.
Ejiofor further explained that, in the exercise of their professional rights and responsibilities as legal practitioners, he and his team have remained under a valid and continuous retainer as solicitors to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) throughout the relevant period.
He said that in that capacity, they have diligently and professionally discharged their responsibilities by securing the discharge and acquittal, after full trials, of more than 200 alleged IPOB members at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the High Court of Ebonyi State, and the High Court of Abia State between December 2023 and 2025.
He stressed that he withdrew from representing Kanu in every capacity long before Kanu's eventual conviction and subsequent sentence of life imprisonment.

According to Ejiofor, these are not matters founded on hearsay or conjecture, as the records are publicly available and can readily be verified.
He also stated that it is important to place on record that IPOB has reaffirmed his firm and his team's standing as the organization's solicitors and legal representatives.
According to him, that professional relationship is based on a continuing legal mandate and cannot be retrospectively altered, invalidated, or dictated by any former leaders of the organization.
Ejiofor further emphasized the legal requirements governing communications purportedly issued by inmates.
"It is important to state, at this juncture, that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act is clear as to the manner in which any communication purportedly emanating from a convict or an inmate may be duly authenticated or validated. Any communication purportedly emanating from an inmate, whether a convicted prisoner or a person awaiting trial, must bear the imprimatur and appropriate authentication of the officer in charge of the relevant correctional centre. This requirement is intended to ensure the authenticity, integrity, and proper verification of such communication.
"This clarification is particularly important and should serve as a cautionary reminder to practitioners who are often quick to report what are clearly unauthorised communications purportedly emanating from inmates without first appreciating or verifying the applicable legal and administrative procedures governing such communications.
"Let the facts, therefore, speak for themselves. Let the records speak for themselves. And let those who are genuinely interested in the truth consult the records rather than manufacture narratives for purposes best known to them.
"We continue moving forward."

Over 200 Turn Out for Free Cancer Screening at COOUTH on Day One



Titus Maduako Eleweke


More than 200 people turned out on Monday for the first day of a one-week free cancer screening programme at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka.

The programme offers free cervical cancer screening (Pap smear), mammography for early breast cancer detection, and prostate cancer screening.
It will run from Monday, July 27, to Friday, July 31, 2026.
The initiative was organized to commemorate the birthdays of the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, whose birthdays fall on July 28 and July 31, 2026, respectively.
When our reporter visited the screening centres at the Departments of Radiography and Obstetrics and Gynaecology at about 1:30 p.m., more than 54 men had already been screened for prostate cancer, while over 88 women had undergone cervical cancer screening and mammography for breast cancer detection.
Hospital officials said attendance continued to increase as more people arrived throughout the day, bringing the total number of participants to well over 200.
The large turnout indicated that many Anambra residents braved the early morning rain to take advantage of the free medical services.
One of the women who underwent cervical cancer screening and mammography, and who requested anonymity, described the programme as a rare opportunity to know her health status.
"I have always wanted to undergo cervical cancer screening and a mammogram, but I could not afford the cost. When I heard about this free programme, I knew I could not miss the opportunity. God has made it possible for me today," she said.
She described the initiative as one of the greatest health interventions for women in Anambra State in recent times and urged other women, especially those who could not afford the tests, to take advantage of the free screening.
Similarly, one of the male beneficiaries, Mr. Peter Okechukwu, said he was happy to have undergone prostate cancer screening and was awaiting his results.
According to him, if people had the financial resources, they would not have to wait for free medical outreach programmes before seeking cancer screening.
He noted that many men desired to undergo prostate cancer screening but were discouraged by the cost.
He commended the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH, Amaku, Awka, for initiating the programme.
Speaking with journalists during the exercise, the Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, expressed delight over the impressive turnout.
According to her, the response was remarkable despite the heavy rainfall in the morning.
"This morning, when I visited the screening centres, I was surprised to see that they were already filled with people despite the heavy rainfall. What I saw exceeded our projections. We had expected to screen about 500 people over the five-day programme, but the turnout on the first day alone has been overwhelming," she said.
She disclosed that, following the unexpectedly high turnout, additional members of staff were deployed to the screening centres to cope with the increasing number of participants.
The CMD further revealed that the hospital had ordered additional screening films, reagents, and other consumables to ensure the exercise continued without interruption.
"In fact, this exercise is giving us a clearer picture of what is happening in the health sector. We often say that men do not like going to the hospital or taking care of their health, and the same is sometimes said about women because they are always busy trying to make a living. However, we must also consider the financial burden involved.
"We intend to collect and analyze data from this exercise to help us develop policy recommendations on the health needs of our people. Our objective is not only to screen participants but also to generate evidence that will enable us to collaborate with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery.
"It is becoming increasingly clear that the cost of healthcare is a major barrier preventing many people from seeking medical attention. Otherwise, how do you explain the fact that despite the heavy rainfall, people still came out in large numbers? Their enthusiasm shows they value their health, but financial constraints have prevented many of them from accessing cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, and prostate cancer screening."she said.
Dr. Umeakuewulu explained that the free screening programme was organized to celebrate Governor Soludo's birthday on July 28 and that of his wife, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, on July 31.
According to her, it was the hospital's modest way of appreciating the governor and his wife for their contributions to the healthcare sector in Anambra State.
She commended Governor Soludo and his wife for their commitment to improving healthcare delivery, particularly the completion of the Solution Trauma Centre at COOUTH.
Dr. Umeakuewulu further disclosed that the Solution Trauma Centre is currently the only trauma centre of its kind in the South-East geopolitical zone and noted that she was not aware of any similar facility in the South-South region.
"My management informed me that the governor and his wife would be celebrating their birthdays and suggested placing congratulatory advertisements in the media. After considering the cost, I proposed that we should instead invest the money in providing free cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, mammography, and prostate cancer screening for our people.
"I told them that this would make a greater impact because the governor's wife has continued to touch lives through her Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative, while the governor has made significant investments in the state's healthcare sector. Many ministries, agencies, and parastatals can place newspaper advertisements or air congratulatory jingles, but we believed that offering free healthcare services would be a more meaningful way of celebrating them.
"I am convinced that the governor and his wife will appreciate this initiative more than any advertisement because it directly benefits the people and aligns with their vision of improving healthcare in Anambra State," she said.

Ejiofor Nominated for 2026 Most Outstanding Human Rights Lawyer Award



Titus Maduako Eleweke

The renowned Anambra State-born human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has been nominated for the Creek Multimedia Award for Most Outstanding Human Rights Lawyer of the Year 2026.
In a nomination letter signed by the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Creek Multimedia, Oluwadamilare Daniels, the award was described as a recognition of Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor's unwavering commitment to human rights advocacy and the promotion of the rule of law.
Reacting to the nomination in his Monday Musings, Ejiofor described the recognition as:
"ANOTHER GLOBAL LAUREL FROM ACROSS THE NIGER — A GROWING CHORUS OF INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR AN UNRELENTING JOURNEY IN HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY."
According to him, "It can only be God."
"It is with a profound sense of honour, humility, and immense gratitude to God Almighty that I received yet another formal notification of my nomination for the Award of Most Outstanding Human Rights Lawyer of the Year 2026 by the globally recognised Creek Multimedia, publishers of Creekvibes Magazine," .
According to the notification, the Joint Committee for the 5th Edition of the Creekvibes Stamp of Excellence Awards, after considering numerous nominations, selected Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor as a distinguished honouree in the Non-Governmental Organisation category to receive the prestigious recognition.
The award unveiling ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 24, 2026, in Lagos.
Ejiofor stated that Lagos would once again witness another memorable celebration in his honour.
He urged his supporters, followers, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers to join him at the award ceremony.
"I enjoin you all to get your dancing shoes ready. By the grace of God, we shall gather once again to celebrate yet another remarkable recognition.
"At this rate, one may be tempted to ask: Are these awards pursuing us, or are we simply running out of shelves to keep them?
"But beyond the humour lies a deeper truth: every genuine recognition of service is ultimately a reminder that the work must continue," he added.
Ejiofor expressed deep appreciation to the management of Creek Multimedia for the honour and recognition.
According to him, he does not take the nomination for granted, stressing that he received it with profound humility and a renewed sense of responsibility.
He said the recognition was not merely about receiving an award or an accolade; rather, it was a testament to the fact that years of active human rights advocacy, legal intervention, the defence of the vulnerable, and the relentless pursuit of justice are being noticed, monitored, and appreciated beyond the country's borders and increasingly on the global stage.
"To God Almighty, therefore, I return all glory, honour, adoration, and thanksgiving.
"Indeed, it can only be God," he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Ejiofor said that when one looks back at the struggles, battles, disappointments, sacrifices, and countless moments when the easier option would have been to simply look away, one cannot but acknowledge the abiding grace and unfailing mercy of God.
"He is, indeed, a merciful God," .
"I also sincerely appreciate my beloved family and my colleagues in the Chambers, whose unwavering support, sacrifices, encouragement, and commitment have contributed immensely to the milestones we continue to record. Your contributions to these achievements are immeasurable and deeply appreciated.
"To all our friends, supporters, and well-wishers who have consistently stood by us, prayed for us, encouraged us, and believed in the cause, I say a very big thank you.
"The journey continues.
"The struggle for justice continues.
"The defence of human dignity continues.
"And by the special grace of God, the impact will continue to speak long after the applause has faded.
"To God alone be all the glory.
"May His Holy Name be forever praised.
"Amen," he added.

COOUTH Launches Free Week-Long Cervical, Breast and Prostate Cancer Screening

Titus Maduako Eleweke

The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, will commence a one-week free cervical cancer screening (Pap smear), mammography for early breast cancer detection, and prostate cancer screening on Monday, July 27, 2026.
The free cervical cancer screening (Pap smear) and mammography programme will run until Friday, July 31, 2026.
The initiative is organized to commemorate the birthdays of the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, which fall on July 28 and July 31, 2026, respectively.
The free medical outreach is also intended to celebrate their leadership and commitment to promoting healthy living among the people of Anambra State through initiatives that encourage disease prevention and early detection.
Women aged 25 to 65 years will benefit from the free cervical cancer screening (Pap smear), while women 40 years and above will receive free mammography screening for the early detection of breast cancer.
In addition, 200 men aged 50 years and above will benefit from free prostate cancer screening.
The screening exercise will commence daily at 8:00 a.m.
Venue: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) and the Department of Radiography, COOUTH, Amaku, Awka.
The Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, said the free medical screening programme was designed to appreciate Governor Charles Soludo and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, for their unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of Ndi Anambra.
According to her, the Governor's wife, through her Healthy Living Initiative, has positively impacted the lives of thousands of residents across the state by promoting healthy lifestyles, preventive healthcare, and regular medical screening.
She added that Governor Soludo has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and improving access to quality healthcare services for the people of Anambra State.
"We felt that since both the Governor and his wife have demonstrated remarkable commitment to improving the health and well-being of Ndi Anambra, it was only fitting to use the week of their birthdays—July 28 for the Governor and July 31 for Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo—to support and celebrate their vision of a healthier Anambra State.
"As part of our appreciation for their outstanding efforts in promoting preventive healthcare and healthy living, we decided to organize this free cancer screening programme for the people of the state," she said.
Dr. Umeakuewulu emphasized that early detection remains one of the most effective strategies in the fight against cervical, breast, and prostate cancers, noting that when these cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is more effective, survival rates are significantly improved, and many lives can be saved.
She therefore urged eligible women and men across the state to take advantage of the free screening programme, stressing that routine cancer screening is an essential component of preventive healthcare and should not be neglected.

NMA Confers Prestigious Meritorious Service Award on COOUTH CMD Dr. Umeakuewulu

Titus Maduako Eleweke

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State Chapter, has conferred its Meritorious Service Award on the Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the medical profession and her transformative leadership at the hospital.
The award ceremony took place at Chunique Royal Hotel, Nnewi, Anambra State.


The award recognizes Dr. Umeakuewulu's meritorious service to the medical profession in Nigeria and her ongoing efforts to transform COOUTH through strategic leadership, institutional reforms, and innovations aimed at improving healthcare delivery.

While receiving the award, Dr. Umeakuewulu expressed profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for giving her the opportunity to return home and serve Ndi Anambra as the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH.
She also expressed deep gratitude to her trainers and mentors, particularly Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, for their invaluable guidance, mentorship, and contributions to her professional development throughout her medical career.
Dr. Umeakuewulu equally appreciated her immediate predecessor, Hon. Dr. Joe Akabuike, for his dedicated service to the institution and for helping to lay the solid foundation upon which her administration is currently building.
The Chief Medical Director thanked the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association, Anambra State Chapter, for finding her worthy of the honour, describing the award as both a recognition of her past contributions and a call to even greater commitment in advancing the medical profession, strengthening healthcare delivery, and promoting excellence in patient care.
Dr. Umeakuewulu further reflected on her years of active participation in the Nigerian Medical Association, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, where she served as Secretary and held several other strategic responsibilities.

She recalled serving as a member of an intervention committee constituted to resolve critical issues within the Association, describing the experience as invaluable in strengthening her leadership and professional service.
She emphasized that the Nigerian Medical Association remains one united professional family regardless of chapter affiliation and pledged her unwavering support to the Anambra State Chapter, which she described as her home branch.
She called on the Association to continue upholding the nobility of the medical profession by promoting ethical medical practice, strengthening postgraduate and continuing professional development, mentoring younger doctors, safeguarding the welfare and professional interests of members, and advocating policies that improve healthcare delivery across the country.
The Chief Medical Director also highlighted several landmark innovations currently transforming COOUTH under her administration.
These include the ongoing implementation of a paperless hospital system through comprehensive digitalization of clinical and administrative processes, the introduction of smart patient identification cards, the establishment of a consultant-led specialist private clinic to enhance service delivery, the modernization of clinical services through improved infrastructure and equipment, the strengthening of the hospital's security architecture, and other strategic institutional reforms designed to reposition COOUTH as a world-class teaching hospital that delivers high-quality patient care, advances medical education, promotes clinical research, and drives healthcare innovation.
Dr. Umeakuewulu attended the ceremony in the company of members of her Management Team and reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to providing visionary and transformational leadership that will continue to elevate COOUTH as a centre of excellence in healthcare delivery, medical education, clinical research, innovation, and specialist training in Nigeria.

The event attracted several distinguished personalities, including the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Stanley Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie; the former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu; the former Anambra State Commissioner for Health and immediate past Chief Medical Director of COOUTH, Hon. Dr. Joe Akabuike; as well as other eminent medical professionals, academics, and dignitaries from within and outside Anambra State.

Orsu Ihiteukwa Bloodshed: Ejiofor Calls for Full Disclosure, Justice and Healing

Titus Maduako Eleweke


The Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged the people of Ala-Igbo to summon the courage to undertake a painful but necessary introspection over the events unfolding in the region.
According to him, the emerging revelations surrounding the massacre in Orsu Ihiteukwa and its environs have brought Ndi Igbo face-to-face with one of the darkest chapters in the recent history of Ala-Igbo.
He said the tragedy demands not only emotional outrage but also sober reflection, painstaking documentation, uncompromising truth-telling and, above all, a determined pursuit of justice.
Ejiofor stressed that Ndi Igbo must ask themselves how they arrived at a point where the sanctity of human life could be treated with such contempt, communities devastated by violence, and the suffering of their own people obscured beneath layers of fear, silence, misinformation, deceit, blackmail and competing narratives.
"The answer may be uncomfortable. It may even be painful. But a people who cannot confront the truth about themselves will eventually become prisoners of their own denial," he said.
Ejiofor made the remarks in his Weekend Musings titled: "Orsu Ihiteukwa Tragedy: Heinous Beyond the Cries We Raised — A Call for Truth, Comprehensive Cleansing, Accountability and Generational Reckoning."
According to him, there are moments in the history of a people when words fail, and the vocabulary of ordinary human grief becomes hopelessly inadequate to capture the magnitude of the horrors inflicted upon a community.
"There are also moments when silence ceases to be neutrality and becomes, by implication, an accomplice to history's darkest chapters," he stated.
He maintained that Ala-Igbo cannot simply move on as though nothing happened, insisting that there must be a comprehensive process of cleansing, healing and restoration for the affected communities.
Ejiofor explained that by cleansing, he was not referring to vengeance or indiscriminate retaliation, but to restoring truth to a land wounded by violence, rehabilitating devastated communities, recovering and giving dignified burials to victims where necessary, documenting the atrocities, and restoring the dignity and sanctity of those whose lives have been irreparably affected.
"Our ancestors understood that a land is not merely a geographical expression. It is memory. It is identity. It is heritage. It is the repository of the sacrifices, struggles and aspirations of generations yet unborn.
"When a land is violated through bloodshed, terror and desecration, the responsibility of the living is not to look away but to confront the truth and restore the moral balance that has been disturbed.
"This is why the call for a thorough cleansing of Orsu and the affected communities, as echoed by the Head of the Directorate of State (HDOS), Mazi Chika Edoziem, must be understood in its proper historical and moral context. It should be a cleansing founded upon truth, justice, accountability, reconciliation and the restoration of the dignity of the land and its people."
Reflecting on the period of violence, Ejiofor said that during what he described as one of the darkest periods of sacrilege and desecration in Ala-Igbo, allegedly perpetrated by enemies of Ndi Igbo and reportedly aided or facilitated by individuals within the communities, many people who spoke out against the atrocities did not fully grasp the magnitude of what was taking place.
"We spoke. We warned. We cried out. We questioned. Yet, as it now appears, the horrors that unfolded were far deeper and more devastating than many of us could have imagined," he said.
He disclosed that it was only after summoning the courage to watch disturbing visual materials reportedly compiled by victims and survivors of the Orsu tragedy that he fully appreciated the extraordinary scale of the suffering.
"What I saw, and what I have since learned from the accounts emerging from the affected communities, is not something that should be consigned to the dustbin of history or buried beneath the politics of convenience.
"The suffering of the people of Orsu Ihiteukwa must be properly documented and preserved as part of the historical memory of Ala-Igbo.
"The tragedy before us is not merely about the dead. It is about the living who have been traumatised; families whose histories have been permanently altered; communities whose social fabric has been torn apart; and ancestral lands that have been desecrated."
The human rights lawyer and Dunu-Ezeugosinachi further stated that there must be a solemn reckoning, insisting that everyone directly involved in the atrocities, including those who instigated, sponsored, enabled or knowingly shielded the perpetrators, must be held accountable through lawful and transparent processes.
According to him, no society can heal by pretending that perpetrators do not exist, nor can any people build a credible future by deliberately forgetting the crimes of the past.
He described it as particularly disturbing and painful that individuals whose alleged involvement in instigating or facilitating aspects of the atrocities is now being publicly discussed were, by all indications, not strangers to the affected communities.
"There is perhaps no greater betrayal than when a people are wounded by those who should have understood their pain, protected their communities and preserved their dignity," he said.
The statement read in part:
"What a painful paradox.
"What a tragic contradiction.
"What an uncomfortable chapter for any people who pride themselves on their history, civilisation, communal solidarity and reverence for the dignity of human life.
"We cannot loudly demand justice for ourselves while remaining silent when justice is demanded for our own people. We cannot condemn atrocities committed against Ndi Igbo elsewhere and suddenly become philosophical when allegations of comparable horrors emerge from within our own backyard.
"To the people of Orsu Ihiteukwa and its environs, and to everyone who has suffered directly or indirectly from this terrible tragedy, I say: Do not stop telling your story.
"Do not allow your pain to be erased by political expediency.
"Do not permit the memory of your loved ones to be sacrificed on the altar of silence.
"Do not allow those who may have contributed to your suffering to rewrite the history of your communities.
"Let the truth be told—completely, courageously and without fear.
"Let every perpetrator be identified.
"Let every instigator be exposed.
"The people of Ala-Igbo must summon the courage to undertake a painful but necessary introspection. We must ask ourselves how we arrived at a point where the sanctity of human life could be treated with such contempt, where communities were consumed by violence, and where the suffering of our own people remained hidden beneath layers of fear, silence, misinformation, deceit, blackmail and competing narratives.
"The answer may be uncomfortable. It may even be painful. But a people who cannot confront the truth about themselves will eventually become prisoners of their own denial.
"Let the truth be documented.
"Let the victims be remembered.
"Let the survivors be heard.
"Let the communities be healed.
"Let the land be restored.
"Let justice take its full and lawful course.
"And let those who are responsible, whether directly or indirectly, understand that history has a very long memory.
"For those who deliberately inflicted suffering upon innocent people, and for those who may have aided, encouraged or concealed such acts, the greatest punishment may not be any curse pronounced by man. It may simply be the unrelenting judgment of history—the knowledge that their names will forever be associated with one of the darkest chapters in the history of their own people.
"May the cries of the victims not disappear into the noise of politics.
"May the suffering of the survivors not be forgotten.
"May the truth, however painful, prevail.
"For ultimately, the evil that men do does not simply disappear. It lives in the memories of the victims, echoes through generations, and, sooner or later, stands before the unrelenting tribunal of history.
"The Orsu Ihiteukwa tragedy must therefore become a solemn turning point—a moment when Ndi Igbo decide that never again will the lives of their own people be treated as expendable, and never again will atrocities be hidden beneath the cloak of silence.
"Truth must prevail.
"Justice must be done.
"The land must be healed.
"The victims must never be forgotten."

Campaign Is Over: Ejiofor Calls for Unity After NBA Presidential Election

Titus Maduako Eleweke

Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has joined thousands of Nigerian lawyers in congratulating Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN, on her emergence as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
In a statement titled "MIDWEEK MUSINGS: THE BALLOT HAS SPOKEN: A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE NIGERIAN BAR — CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 33RD NBA PRESIDENT, MRS. OYINKANSOLA BADEJO-OKUNSANYA, SAN," Sir Ejiofor urged senior members of the legal profession to exercise restraint in the manner in which they ventilate post-election grievances in the public space.
According to him, the ballot has spoken, the contest is over, and the time has come for the Nigerian Bar Association to move beyond the rhetoric, recriminations, and bruised emotions that inevitably accompany every fiercely contested election.
"I therefore join thousands of distinguished members of our noble profession, to which I am eminently privileged to belong, as well as well-meaning members of the wider public, in extending my heartfelt and unreserved congratulations to the President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN, on her emergence as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association," he said.
Ejiofor noted that the election was keenly contested and that, as is customary with elections,particularly within an intellectually sophisticated and professionally discerning constituency such as the Bar,there would inevitably be disagreements, complaints, criticisms, and perhaps legitimate questions regarding aspects of the electoral process.
According to him, such reactions are neither unprecedented nor necessarily abnormal.
He stated that the history of democratic elections, whether within professional associations or at the highest levels of national governance, demonstrates that no electoral process is entirely immune from contestation.
The human rights lawyer stressed that there is a time to contest, a time to campaign, a time to persuade, and, equally importantly, a time to accept the outcome and begin the work of rebuilding the collective institution.
According to him, the three distinguished Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) who offered themselves for the presidency did so because each believed he or she possessed the vision, capacity, and competence required to serve the Nigerian Bar.
He added that, in the final analysis, only one candidate could emerge victorious.
"The immutable arithmetic of an election does not permit three candidates to simultaneously occupy the same office. Three candidates may contest; three may inspire; three may deserve admiration; but three cannot, by the very logic of electoral democracy, emerge President at the same time.
"That elementary truth should not be obscured by the passions of the moment.
"It is therefore time for all members of the Bar, especially those who participated actively in the electoral contest, to sheath their swords, lower the temperature of post-election discourse, and allow the new administration the opportunity to assume the enormous responsibility that now lies before it."

"With profound respect, I also believe that our senior colleagues must exercise restraint in the manner in which they ventilate post-election grievances in the public space. There is nothing inherently wrong with criticism; indeed, constructive criticism is indispensable to institutional growth. But when every disagreement is converted into a public spectacle and every electoral disappointment becomes an invitation to perpetual media combat, the dignity and gravitas traditionally associated with the legal profession risk being diminished."
Ejiofor further observed that the Bar does not need to turn every disagreement into a television series, nor should every electoral grievance be given permanent residency in the studios of every available media platform.
He maintained that the legal profession possesses sufficient wisdom within its ranks to resolve internal disagreements without making a theatre of every dispute.
Congratulating the President-elect,
"To the President-elect, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN, I say: congratulations on a hard-fought and well-earned victory.
"Your emergence was not accidental. It was the culmination of a sustained campaign, an unmistakable investment of time and energy, and a determined engagement with members of the profession across the country. Indeed, the intensity of your campaign was such that, at certain moments, one could almost be forgiven for asking whether you were the sole presidential candidate in the race. That, perhaps, was itself a reflection of the formidable visibility and momentum your campaign generated.
"But election victory is only the beginning.
"I therefore urge the President-elect to be magnanimous in victory and to extend a genuine hand of fellowship to all those who contested alongside her. The candidates who did not prevail in this election are not defeated enemies; they are distinguished members of the same profession and, potentially, indispensable partners in the task of rebuilding and repositioning the Nigerian Bar."he said.
According to him, the wisdom of victory lies not merely in triumphing over one's opponents, but in possessing the generosity of spirit to embrace them after the contest.
He emphasized that while the election may have produced one President, it must not produce a divided Bar.
Ejiofor also warned that the Bar must evolve, but it must do so without losing its soul.
He said :"Beyond this, the new administration must confront the more fundamental challenges affecting the Nigerian lawyer: the declining economic viability of legal practice for many practitioners, the welfare of young lawyers, the need for greater professional opportunities, the urgent imperative of improving access to justice, the independence and integrity of the legal profession, and the restoration of public confidence in the justice delivery system.
"Mrs. Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN, has been entrusted with the mandate. The Bar now awaits the legacy.
"May her administration be defined by courage without arrogance, firmness without intolerance, inclusiveness without compromise of principle, and reform without recklessness.
"Let this, therefore, be the moment when the Bar closes the chapter of electoral contestation and opens the chapter of institutional transformation.
"The campaign is over.
"The ballots have been counted.
"The mandate has been given.
"Now, the real work begins.
"Once again, I heartily congratulate Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN, on her historic emergence as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association. May her tenure be consequential, transformative, and worthy of the confidence reposed in her by the members of our noble profession.
"The Bar has spoken. History has recorded it. Leadership must now prove it."

BARR. EJIOFOR OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU



AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR

From Conflict to Concord: A Statesman's Opportunity to Complete Nigeria's Unfinished Promise of Reconciliation in the South-East

His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, Aso Rock Villa Abuja, Nigeria.

Your Excellency,

INTRODUCTION

HISTORY HAS ENTRUSTED YOUR ADMINISTRATION WITH A RESPONSIBILITY THAT TRANSCENDS POLITICS: TO CONSOLIDATE THE HARD-EARNED PEACE IN THE SOUTH-EAST BY ENSURING THAT JUSTICE, RECONCILIATION, AND THE RULE OF LAW BECOME THE ENDURING PILLARS OF NATIONAL UNITY.

I write this open letter with profound respect for the high office you occupy and with an abiding faith in the capacity of courageous leadership to alter the course of history.

This intervention is neither partisan nor adversarial. Rather, it is an earnest appeal founded upon history, conscience, constitutionalism, and an unwavering desire for enduring peace in our beloved country and homeland.

I have deliberately chosen this subject because history must never be divorced from contemporary realities. No meaningful solution can emerge where the origins of a crisis are ignored or deliberately forgotten. Nations progress only when they possess the courage to confront uncomfortable truths with honesty and statesmanship.

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Your Excellency, the insecurity that had hitherto engulfed the South-East did not arise in a vacuum. It was the product of a complex convergence of political, social, economic and security factors that progressively deepened mistrust between the people and the State.

Many citizens of the South-East perceived themselves as politically marginalised, economically neglected, and increasingly vulnerable to violent attacks upon their communities by jihadist herdsmen, which at the time appeared largely unchecked. These perceptions, whether universally shared or not, created fertile ground for despair, alienation and radicalisation. In such an atmosphere, misinformation, inflammatory rhetoric and unrealistic promises found willing audiences among vulnerable young people.

It is pertinent to observe, Your Excellency, that the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by your predecessor, an action widely perceived by many as politically motivated, unquestionably contributed to the volatile and precarious security landscape which your administration has, to a considerable extent, succeeded in containing. Equally significant is the fact that, over the years, a substantial number of people of Igbo extraction came to regard membership of IPOB not as an act of criminality or subversion, but as an expression of identity, cultural consciousness and collective aspiration.

The deterioration of security assumed even more alarming proportions following the extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu and the subsequent developments within the broader Biafra agitation. The emergence of competing voices, particularly that of Simon Ekpa, claiming authority over the movement, further complicated an already volatile situation and coincided with one of the darkest periods experienced in the South-East since the end of the Nigerian Civil War.

During those difficult years, countless innocent citizens lived in fear. Communities became theatres of violence. Businesses collapsed. Families were displaced. Economic activities suffered devastating setbacks. Public confidence in governmental institutions steadily eroded.

Many political leaders relocated from the South-East, distancing themselves from the harsh realities confronting their constituents, while those of us who consistently condemned violence from every quarter often found ourselves misunderstood, vilified and, in some instances, declared persona non grata within our own communities. Nevertheless, our commitment to peace and the rule of law remained unwavering because silence in the face of violence has never been an option.

Numerous allegations also emerged during that period concerning arrests, prolonged detentions, disappearances and other security operations affecting many young men and women from the South-East. These allegations continue to evoke profound concern among families and human rights advocates and deserve careful legal and institutional attention wherever they remain unresolved.

ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROGRESS OF YOUR ADMINISTRATION

Your Excellency, it is therefore only fair to acknowledge that your administration has demonstrably adopted a markedly different approach in the management of security and the administration of justice in relation to the South-East.

The changes introduced within the leadership of the Department of State Services, together with the constructive engagement of the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, have contributed to measurable improvements in the security atmosphere across much of the South-East. Those efforts deserve commendation.

Equally noteworthy have been developments outside Nigeria that have reduced the influence of the individual whose public broadcasts and activities were widely believed to have aggravated tensions within the region and desecrated Ala-Igbo.

These developments demonstrate an important truth: sustainable peace is rarely achieved through force alone. It is secured through intelligence, dialogue, justice, institutional restraint and public confidence.

Your Excellency, this historical context is indispensable because it forms the foundation of the humble appeal I now place before you.

THE REMAINING CHALLENGE

While some of these detainees have reportedly regained their freedom, many others remain in custody after years of incarceration. Reports concerning the prolonged detention of numerous young people of Igbo extraction continue to generate deep concern across the South-East.

Recent prosecutions involving persons accused of terrorism have equally raised important questions. It has been observed that some individuals from the South-East who had been detained for several years were prosecuted alongside Boko Haram suspects accused of devastating terrorist activities. These developments have understandably generated anxiety, particularly where the factual circumstances surrounding individual cases appear materially different.

Consequent upon their appearance before the Federal High Court, Abuja, I personally undertook an independent examination of both the charges and the accompanying Proof of Evidence. To my utmost consternation, I discovered that the charges preferred against the majority of these young Igbo men, who had already languished in detention for almost a decade, were predicated principally upon allegations of IPOB membership and payment of dues.

Even more alarming was the revelation that many of them were allegedly induced or pressured into entering guilty pleas, following which they were summarily convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from twenty to forty years. These convictions, if accurately represented, raise profound constitutional concerns regarding the guarantees of due process, including the right to a full, fair and public hearing before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, political persuasion or ideological inclination, remains entitled to the full protection of Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantee personal liberty and the right to a fair hearing.

Those who have committed recognisable criminal offences should unquestionably face prosecution before competent courts of law and, if convicted after a fair trial, bear the full consequences prescribed by law.

Conversely, those whose continued incarceration rests primarily upon disputed assumptions, insufficient evidence or mere association deserve an impartial review consistent with the Constitution, the principles of natural justice and Nigeria's international human rights obligations.

A MOMENT FOR NATIONAL RECONCILIATION

Your Excellency, many of these young men appear less as hardened criminals than as products of frustration, misinformation and manipulation.

The question before history, therefore, is not merely what these young people did. The more profound question is why so many of them became susceptible to such narratives in the first place.

Was it despair?

Was it the perception of exclusion?

Was it the lingering feeling that the promises made at the conclusion of the Nigerian Civil War had never been fully realised?

These questions deserve thoughtful national reflection rather than emotional dismissal.

Permit me, Your Excellency, to respectfully revisit one of the most solemn understandings associated with the end of the Civil War - the commitment to the principles commonly remembered as the Three "Rs":

- Reconciliation

- Rehabilitation

- Reconstruction

These principles represented far more than political slogans. They constituted a solemn national undertaking that the wounds of war would never be permitted to harden into permanent divisions within the Nigerian Federation. They embodied Nigeria's moral covenant that never again would any section of our nation feel permanently estranged from the Nigerian project.

More than five decades later, many citizens of the South-East continue to question whether these historic commitments have been fully realised in both spirit and practice.

History now presents your administration with an uncommon opportunity to transform those enduring aspirations into tangible realities.

A RESPECTFUL APPEAL

Your Excellency, I respectfully urge you to consider directing the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to undertake a comprehensive legal review of the cases involving detainees from the South-East who have remained in prolonged custody under circumstances that continue to attract serious legal and humanitarian concerns.

Such an initiative would not constitute an act of political concession.

It would represent a profound affirmation of constitutional governance.

It would reinforce public confidence in the administration of justice.

It would deepen the peace that your administration has helped to restore across much of the South-East.

Most importantly, it would demonstrate that the Federal Republic of Nigeria possesses both the strength to uphold the law and the wisdom to temper justice with fairness.

CONCLUSION

Your Excellency, history reserves its highest honours not for leaders who merely inherit difficult circumstances, but for those who summon the courage to resolve them with justice, compassion, constitutional fidelity and uncommon statesmanship.

The peace presently taking root across the South-East provides a rare opportunity that should neither be underestimated nor squandered.

If this moment is consolidated through justice, fairness and reconciliation, posterity may well remember your Presidency as the administration that finally closed one of the most painful chapters in Nigeria's post-war history.

Such a legacy would transcend politics and become an enduring testament to national healing through courageous leadership.

That would be a legacy worthy of enduring national remembrance.

May this administration seize this defining moment to demonstrate that justice remains the surest foundation of national security, and that reconciliation, when anchored upon the rule of law, is the greatest instrument of enduring peace.

I thank Your Excellency for your attention to this humble appeal and remain hopeful that wisdom, constitutional fidelity and national unity will continue to guide your administration.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq., KSC
Dunu-Ezeugosinachi

Ejiofor Launches Asaba Regional Office, Thanks God for Milestone

Titus Maduako Eleweke

Renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer and Lead Counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has concluded arrangements to officially unveil the regional headquarters of his law firm, I. C. Ejiofor & Co. (Ugochinyere Chambers), in Asaba, Delta State.
The expansion of the Chambers into Delta State marks another significant milestone in the firm's continued growth and reflects its increasing presence within Nigeria's legal landscape.
Ejiofor attributed the establishment of the regional office to divine grace, as well as the confidence, trust, and enduring support reposed in the Chambers by its clients and the public.
He made this known in his Monday Musings titled "An Enduring Legacy of Grace, Service and Professional Stewardship: The Official Unveiling of the Regional Headquarters of I. C. Ejiofor & Co. (Ugochinyere Chambers), Asaba, Delta State."
According to Ejiofor, when divine grace accompanies a person's life and calling, it often appears as though such an individual has been specially favoured with uncommon blessings and generational grace.
Commenting on the development, Ejiofor who holds chieftaincy title of Dunu-Ezeugosinachi stated that one enduring truth should never be forgotten: a person who faithfully walks in the path of his divine mandate and heavenly calling is never in competition with others.
According to him, every individual's journey is uniquely ordered by God, and true success is measured not by comparison with others but by the fulfilment of divine purpose.
He further stated that the Chambers' entrance into the Big Heart State has been heralded by remarkable professional accomplishments, landmark legal victories, outstanding milestones, and an unwavering commitment to the diligent discharge of its professional responsibilities with honesty, integrity, sincerity, and the fear of God.
Ejiofor explained that, following the overwhelming confidence reposed in the Chambers, the remarkable successes recorded over the years, and the growing demand for its legal services, it pleased Almighty God to enlarge the coast of the firm and expand its professional frontiers across the South-South, South-East, and, by extension, the South-West geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
The statement reads:"It is with profound gratitude to Almighty God that we officially unveil this magnificent edifice, which shall henceforth serve as the Regional Headquarters of the esteemed Chambers of I. C. Ejiofor & Co. (Ugochinyere Chambers), strategically located in the heart of Asaba, Delta State.
We have never been given to speaking where God has not first spoken. We firmly acknowledge that promotion comes neither from the east nor from the west, but from the Lord alone. Therefore, it can only be Him—ever faithful to His promises and steadfast in the fulfilment of His Word—who has graciously chosen this moment to reward years of sacrifice, unwavering commitment, and selfless service to humanity.
This journey has not been without immense cost. It has been characterised by immeasurable sacrifices, incalculable losses, life-threatening encounters, and countless occasions when death came perilously close, all in the faithful discharge of our professional duties, the defence of fundamental human rights, the pursuit of justice, and our unwavering commitment to the rule of law. Yet, through every season, every trial, and every challenge, God remained faithful. Indeed, it can only be God.
Today, I pay glowing tribute to our indefatigable team of exceptionally erudite legal practitioners within the Chambers and our highly dedicated administrative and support staff, whose professionalism, diligence, loyalty, competence, and unwavering commitment have transformed this vision into reality. Your invaluable contributions to the continued growth, excellence, and reputation of our Chambers shall forever remain appreciated. I remain profoundly grateful to each and every one of you.
I equally extend my heartfelt appreciation to my beloved family, whose steadfast prayers, extraordinary sacrifices, remarkable endurance, patience, and unwavering encouragement have remained an unshakable pillar throughout this demanding journey.
My sincere gratitude also goes to my formidable Ezigbo Umuchineke, whose unfailing love, steadfast support, prayers, and abiding faith have continued to inspire strength, courage, and resilience through every season.
To our ever-expanding clientele, I express my profound appreciation for the immense confidence, trust, and faith you have consistently reposed in our professional competence, integrity, and capacity. Your continued patronage and support have contributed immeasurably to this significant milestone, and we remain deeply indebted to you.
As we inaugurate this Regional Headquarters, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the highest standards of legal practice, professional ethics, the protection of fundamental human rights, the defence of the rule of law, and the diligent pursuit of justice without fear or favour. We shall continue to render quality legal services with integrity, excellence, courage, and unwavering fidelity to the Constitution and the noble ideals of the legal profession.
Above all, and most importantly, we return all glory, honour, adoration, and thanksgiving to Almighty God—the Alpha and the Omega, the Great I AM, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Mighty Man of War, the Beginning and the End—for yet another remarkable milestone. Truly, it can only be God.
To Him alone be all the glory for His endless mercies, unmerited favour, divine protection, unfailing grace, preservation of life, abundant blessings upon my family and our Chambers, and for continually prospering the works of our hands beyond human comprehension.
With hearts overflowing with gratitude, we humbly say: Thank You, Lord.
Thank you all for being part of this remarkable journey.
May Almighty God richly bless you all."

Ejiofor Demands NBA Crackdown on Lawyers Who Distort Court Proceedings




By Titus Maduako Eleweke



Renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take a firm stand against lawyers who deliberately misrepresent court proceedings and rulings to their clients and the public.
Ejiofor made the call in his weekly article titled "Weekend Musings: When Lawyers Become Merchants of Distortion: The Growing Menace of Misreporting Court Proceedings and the Urgent Need to Restore Professional Integrity." In the article, he drew attention to what he described as an emerging culture that quietly threatens the ethical foundation of legal practice in Nigeria.
According to him, the Nigerian Bar Association must renew its commitment to enforcing the highest ethical standards by strengthening professional orientation and ensuring that deliberate misrepresentation of court proceedings attracts appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
He stressed that the strength of the legal profession has never rested solely on the brilliance of its advocacy, but on the integrity of those privileged to practise it. According to him, once lawyers become unreliable narrators of what transpires in court, public confidence in the justice system begins to erode.
Ejiofor noted that as the legal profession welcomes another promising crop of newly enrolled wigs, it is equally imperative to draw attention to an emerging culture that quietly threatens the ethical foundation of legal practice in Nigeria. Unless urgently addressed, he warned, the disturbing trend could gradually undermine public confidence in both the Bar and the administration of justice.
Addressing newly enrolled lawyers, he wrote:"To our newly enrolled wigs, let this remain an enduring professional creed: your greatest asset is not your eloquence, but your credibility. Never sacrifice your integrity for temporary applause or client gratification. Court proceedings are not political propaganda to be rewritten outside the courtroom; they are solemn judicial acts deserving of truthful and responsible reportage.
"If the honour of the legal profession is to endure, honesty in reporting what transpires before our courts must remain one of its most sacred and inviolable traditions."
Ejiofor recalled that one of the earliest lessons he learnt during his pupillage was that every court appearance carried with it a corresponding duty to accurately brief the client on everything that transpired in court.
According to him, it was a compulsory professional discipline for every lawyer who participated in proceedings to prepare a faithful, objective, and accurate report for the client without embellishment, exaggeration, or distortion.
Regretting the decline of that professional culture, he stated:
"Sadly, that culture appears to be fading."
He observed that, increasingly, some lawyers,both senior and junior alike ,now exaggerate, selectively report, or completely misrepresent court proceedings in order to impress clients, influence public opinion, or project an illusion of success.
Narrating one such incident, Ejiofor said:
"I have personally witnessed a case in which a senior member of the Bar informed his clients that they had secured victory when, in truth, the Court merely declined jurisdiction and directed the parties back to the court already seized of the matter. There was neither a determination of the merits nor a declaration in favour of either party.
"Yet, acting on counsel's misleading briefing, the clients organised elaborate celebrations, hired public address systems, and publicly proclaimed victory over a judgment that never existed."
He maintained that such incidents are not isolated.
Citing another example, he said:
"In another matter before the High Court in Enugu State, counsel confidently assured his clients that judgment would certainly be delivered in their favour and encouraged them to prepare for celebration. To their utter embarrassment, judgment was eventually entered against them before the very supporters assembled to celebrate, who, following the unexpected outcome, quietly tucked away in nylon bags the celebratory garments they had painstakingly sewn in eager anticipation of a favourable judgment."
Ejiofor further suggested that the growing culture of misinformation and deliberate distortion of judicial proceedings may have influenced the decision of a Federal High Court judge in Abuja to adopt the unprecedented measure of live-streaming the delivery of judgment in a high-profile case.
According to him:"Perhaps it was this disturbing and increasingly entrenched culture of misinformation and deliberate distortion of judicial proceedings that impelled a learned Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to adopt the unprecedented measure of live-streaming the delivery of his judgment in a high-profile matter. With painstaking precision, His Lordship meticulously read the judgment page by page and line by line until its conclusion, thereby ensuring that every material pronouncement was placed squarely in the public domain.
"This extraordinary step was necessitated by the persistent and regrettable conduct of certain lawyers, some of whom had also assumed the role of consultants and content creators in the same matter, who repeatedly emerged from court after each sitting to publicly misrepresent, distort, and mischaracterise the proceedings and the pronouncements of the court."
Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq., Dunu-Ezeugosinachi, further stated that the implications of the practice extend far beyond misleading clients.
He advised that every lawyer must remember that while loyalty is owed to the client, the lawyer's overriding duty remains to the court and to the administration of justice.
He lamented that no client is ultimately served by falsehood, and no professional reputation can endure where it is built upon deliberate distortion.
The human rights activist and lawyer warned that if the honour of the legal profession is to endure, honesty in reporting what transpires before the courts must remain one of its most sacred and inviolable traditions.

Ejiofor Accuses South Africa of Failing to Protect Nigerians Amid Xenophobia

The Nigerian renowned human rights lawyer and lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has criticised the South African Government over what he described as the human rights abuses and mistreatment of Nigerians residing in the country.
According to Ejiofor, in his Midweek Musings titled "State-Sponsored Terrorism in the Guise of Xenophobia? Time for the African Union to Hold the South African Government Accountable for Its Actions, and Why Discerning Nigerians Must Not Allow the Raging PFIPC Scandals to Divert Attention from the Safety of Their Fellow Citizens Abroad," he said the time has come for African leaders to rise above diplomatic platitudes and demonstrate that the ideals of African solidarity extend beyond ceremonial declarations.
He stated that the protection of every African on African soil is not merely a political obligation but a fundamental responsibility.
The human rights lawyer noted that, by every objective measure, discerning Nigerians have watched with profound concern the raging PFIPC scandal currently dominating the nation's political landscape.
"The allegations surrounding the Presidential Economic Promotion Council and the attendant public debate have understandably occupied the front pages. Yet, the historical pattern of political scandals in Nigeria teaches us that political scandals, regardless of how sensational, often fade into oblivion—sometimes without accountability, sometimes without consequence, and frequently without institutional introspection.
"The same will likely be the fate of the present debate. Give it one more month and it will be consigned to the things forgotten and past. This is Nigeria for you. Chi-fo anu ozo. A nation of endless tragedy," he said.
According to him, it was for this reason that he deliberately refrained from joining the debate.
He explained that his decision was not because the issues were unimportant, but because another matter of far greater consequence continues to unfold beyond Nigeria's borders.
Ejiofor said the matter concerns the dignity, security, property, and lives of Nigerians residing in the Republic of South Africa amid recurring incidents of xenophobic violence.
He stated that one of the most disturbing developments was the public remarks attributed to a spokesperson for the South African Government regarding Nigerians whose businesses and properties were allegedly abandoned or taken over following waves of xenophobic attacks.
According to Ejiofor, rather than reassuring the international community that South Africa remains committed to protecting all lawful residents, irrespective of nationality, the spokesperson's reported remarks appeared dismissive and deeply insensitive.
He argued that, if accurately reported, such comments would represent a departure from the diplomatic restraint expected of public officials and would fall below the standards expected of a constitutional democracy.
Ejiofor further stated that it is both regrettable and dangerous when an entire nationality is broadly associated with criminality, stressing that such sweeping generalisations offend the principles of justice, equality, and civilised governance.
According to him:
"International law could not be clearer.
"Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees that every person is entitled to the rights and freedoms recognised therein without discrimination of any kind.
"Article 7 further guarantees equality before the law and equal protection against discrimination.
"Article 17 protects every person's right to own property and prohibits arbitrary deprivation of that property.
"Similarly, Articles 2, 3, 5, 12 and 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights guarantee equality before the law, respect for human dignity, freedom from discrimination, freedom of movement, and the right to property.
"The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights equally obliges State Parties to ensure equal protection of the law without discrimination and guarantees freedom of movement and equal treatment under Articles 2, 12 and 26.
"Furthermore, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination imposes an unequivocal obligation upon States to eradicate racial discrimination in all its manifestations and to guarantee equality before the law irrespective of national origin."
He said that these are not merely lofty academic ideals; rather, they are binding international obligations voluntarily assumed by modern democratic states, including the Republic of South Africa.
Consequently, he argued that any environment in which foreign nationals become recurring targets of organised xenophobic attacks, while their businesses are destroyed or abandoned without effective protection or meaningful accountability, raises serious questions about the discharge of those international obligations.
Ejiofor also said that no discussion about South Africa's democratic journey can ignore the immense sacrifices made by Nigeria and several other African nations during the anti-apartheid struggle.
According to him, Nigeria invested enormous diplomatic capital, financial resources, and political goodwill in support of South Africa's liberation.
He added that history has documented those contributions and expressed disappointment that, in his view, they have not been adequately reflected in the treatment of some Nigerians living in South Africa.
He stated :
"Every lawful Nigerian abroad deserves the full protection of diplomatic engagement. Their nationality should never become a licence for intimidation. Their investments should never become trophies of lawlessness. Their humanity should never become negotiable.
"The time has therefore come for African leaders to rise above diplomatic platitudes and demonstrate that the ideals of African solidarity extend beyond ceremonial declarations.
"Justice delayed emboldens intolerance. Silence legitimises impunity.
"And indifference, history teaches us, is often the most dangerous accomplice of injustice.
"The protection of every African on African soil is not merely a political obligation.
"It is a legal duty.
"It is a moral imperative.
"It is the ultimate test of whether Pan-Africanism is a living principle or merely an attractive slogan."

Reject Bloodshed, Embrace Truth: Ejiofor Urges Ndigbo to Shun Propaganda


The human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged Ndigbo to rise above raw emotions, empty slogans, and destructive rhetoric by rejecting every narrative that glorifies bloodshed, division, and needless sacrifice.
He said regrettably some individuals have continued to spread misinformation among the Igbo about the struggle for the independence of Biafra, warning that such falsehoods have caused immense harm to the people.
According to him, Ndigbo should wholeheartedly embrace a peaceful, disciplined, and people-centred approach anchored on the prevailing human-faced vision of the self-determination project.
Ejiofor, the Dunu–Ezeugosinachi of his community, stated that the future of the Igbo people would not be secured through the celebration of conflict but through wisdom, strategic leadership, truth, and an unwavering commitment to the preservation of human life and dignity.
In a statement titled "MONDAY MUSINGS: THE DEADLIEST WEAPON OF WAR WAS NOT THE GUN—IT WAS PROPAGANDA: From Okokon Ndem to the Digital Age: Why Ndigbo Must Never Again Become Victims of Manufactured Narratives," Ejiofor said the most devastating consequence of propaganda is not merely the distortion of facts but the gradual destruction of independent judgment.
He stated: "No cause, however noble or divinely inspired, can succeed if it is built upon manipulation and misinformation. Truth is not an obstacle to any genuine struggle; it is its strongest foundation."
According to him, once a people lose the ability to distinguish truth from carefully manufactured falsehoods, they surrender the very instrument required for their progress.
He further noted that history remains an uncompromising teacher and that whenever truth is sacrificed on the altar of propaganda, generations inevitably pay the price.
"The greatest tragedy is not merely that history repeats itself," , "but that mankind often refuses to learn from its most painful lessons."he said.
Ejiofor recalled that for every Igbo family that witnessed or inherited the painful memories of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), one name remains inseparable from the history of that conflict—Okokon Ndem, the unforgettable voice of Radio Biafra.
According to him, Okokon Ndem was gifted with remarkable eloquence and extraordinary oratory, and his broadcasts became the heartbeat of Biafra's wartime information campaign. Through emotionally charged commentaries and psychological messaging, he inspired millions and projected unwavering confidence in the Biafran cause.
"Yet, like virtually every wartime broadcaster in history, his broadcasts also demonstrated the immense power of propaganda and disinformation in shaping public perception during armed conflict," he said.
He stressed that wars are fought not only with bullets but also with narratives, adding that temporary emotional victories achieved through propaganda can never substitute for objective reality.
"History repeatedly reminds us that when comforting falsehoods replace uncomfortable truths, the human cost is often devastating," he added.
Drawing parallels with the present, Ejiofor said that decades after the guns of the Civil War fell silent, disturbing similarities have emerged in some aspects of today's self-determination discourse.
He observed that while social media has given everyone a microphone, it has also given falsehood an unprecedented audience.
According to him, individuals with little knowledge of strategy or leadership now routinely manufacture sensational claims, imaginary victories, and unverifiable narratives, while vulnerable people consume such information without critical examination.
"The tragedy is not simply that lies are told; it is that they are believed," he stated.
He lamented that thousands of lives have been lost, communities traumatized, businesses destroyed, and economic activities crippled because many people chose emotion over reason and propaganda over truth.
"Yet, despite these undeniable realities, there are still professional propagandists and their loyal apologists who continue to market deception as patriotism," he added.
Ejiofor, however, described as encouraging the recent developments that have brought about a change in the status quo and a renewed direction under the leadership of the Directorate of State (DOS), headed by Mazi Chika Edoziem.
He said the current leadership has departed completely from what he described as the previous pattern of misinformation, propaganda, and deception.
According to him, the leadership has placed greater emphasis on discipline, strategic coordination, responsible leadership, and the pursuit of non-violent mechanisms of agitation, thereby restoring confidence in a cause that must always be anchored on truth rather than manipulation.
He maintained that if the aspiration for self-determination is genuinely rooted in justice, equity, and the collective welfare of the people, then transparency, honesty, and accountability must remain non-negotiable guiding principles.
"This is particularly so because the right to self-determination is an inalienable and sacrosanct right, firmly recognised and protected under applicable international law as well as the extant domestic legal framework," he said.
Ejiofor further urged Ndigbo to ensure that history does not become a cycle they are condemned to relive, noting that the painful lessons of the Civil War should inspire wisdom rather than repetition.
"Our future will never be secured by the loudest voices on social media, but by leaders and followers who possess the courage to confront reality, the humility to learn from history, and the integrity to speak the truth, even when it is inconvenient.
"Only then can we honour the sacrifices of yesterday while safeguarding the destiny of tomorrow," he stated.

Anambra APC:16 LGA Chairmen, 22 Exco Members, 28 Aspirants Back Anosike Over Osegbo

Titus Eleweke

Sixteen out of the 21 Local Government Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside 22 members of the State Executive Committee and 28 party aspirants across Anambra State, have distanced themselves from what they described as the "kangaroo grand entry" organised by factional chairman, Chief Ifeanyi Osegbo.
The party leaders and stakeholders reaffirmed their loyalty and allegiance to the State Chairman, Senator Emma Anosike, and his leadership team.
The mass show of support comes amid the lingering leadership crisis within the party following a Federal High Court process that sought to challenge Anosike's leadership, a move the Anambra State APC executive had earlier dismissed as a "kangaroo judgment" that lacked the backing of genuine party stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Acting Chairman of the Forum of APC Local Government Chairmen and Chairman of APC in Awka North Local Government Area, Sir Johnbosco Aniaracha, said the affected local government chairmen, State Executive Committee members, and party aspirants deliberately stayed away from the event as a demonstration of their rejection of what they described as an orchestrated distraction aimed at undermining the constitutionally recognised leadership of the party in the state.
"We, the Local Government Chairmen of our great party, hereby distance ourselves, along with the State Working Committee of the party, from the kangaroo meeting organised by individuals who have been expelled from the party,"
"It is on record that those laying claim to the leadership of the party are the same individuals who took the party to court without exhausting the constitutional provisions and internal conflict resolution mechanisms provided by the party. Consequently, we cannot be part of the said meeting or the so-called historic takeover."he said.
Aniaracha urged party faithful to remain calm and law-abiding, describing the development as the handiwork of fifth columnists determined to undermine the party's chances in forthcoming elections.
"We urge party faithful to remain calm and law-abiding, as these are the machinations of fifth columnists who are out to scuttle the success of the party in the coming elections," he said.
The stakeholders reiterated their unwavering commitment to the Senator Emma Anosike-led State Executive, insisting that Anosike and his team remain the only legitimate leadership recognised to manage the affairs of the APC in Anambra State.
They further maintained that any parallel structure or gathering outside the recognised leadership of the party amounts to a distraction and would not derail the APC's preparations for the forthcoming National Assembly, State House of Assembly, and local government elections.