‘Policemen Burnt Corpses Of Those Killed In My House’ — Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Speaks From Hiding

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lawyer to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB), says more than 20 people were killed when
the police “raided” his residence in Anambra state on Monday.

Following the clash between the police and some suspected
members of the proscribed group which led to the “deaths of two
policemen”, the police had declared Ejiofor wanted.

But in a video shared on Facebook on Tuesday, Ejiofor said he
had already spoken with the police commander and would not
understand why they attacked people in his house.

He said he was tipped off that the officers took away the
corpses of those killed and burnt them somewhere.

“On Sunday being the first day of December 2019, I was called at
about 8pm to 9pm by the DPO and he never passed any message to me,”
he said.

“Then in the morning, at about 6am, I got a call from my elder
brother that police have invaded my premises led by the area
commander himself. I requested to speak with the area commander and
he obliged which conversation was so recorded.

“I requested to know why they were in my house because I wasn’t
around. He said they came to arrest one of my wards who
participated in a local conflict. He demanded to see me and I said
I will be back around 10:30 in the morning. I told him I will come
to see him at the station when I am back.

“He said okay, but he emphasised that time is of essence. That I
should keep to time. Then I became worried, because I came back on
the 24th of November 2019 for my brother’s burial and I have been
around. I never had any issues with anybody, I never stepped out of
my house. When I came back around 10, I told my mother I want to go
see the area commander, but on a second thought I decided to go see
my uncle who will accompany me.

“When I left the house for my uncle’s place, that served as a
saving grace. We were on our way to the commander’s office taking
an unconventional way when I got a call from my junior brother that
the police were in my house and they opened fire on all living
object, including persons in my house. So, I was like someone came
about 6 in the morning, had a conversation with him on an offence I
don’t even know anything about and I promised him as a lawyer that
I am going to be in his office, then what happened in my house took
me by surprise.

“I was confused about what was going on. As I speak now, I am
homeless. They have burnt down the house. Many people who were
running for safety were also killed. Over 20 person have been
killed. My mum was gunned, and now receiving treatment. What is my
offence for being IPOB lawyer?

“I decided to take refuge within the neighbourhood. The reports
kept coming in as to the atrocities they were committing in my
house including roping people around the area. At the end, they
took away the bodies of those they killed in my house in their own
van to a place along Onitsha-Owerri express road, burnt all of them
and left. That is all I know that transpired.”

Ejiofor said he had to stop on his way, and waited to be further
briefed on what was going on.

He said, after two minutes talking with his brother on the
phone, he was told that about four persons had been shot in his
premises and the entire house set ablaze by the police.

Ejiofor said he had maintained more than 17 years unbroken
relationship with the police hierarchy and even if someone had
filed a complaint against him, it was not enough for the police to
come to his house with force.

He said the police could have left him an invitation letter, and
even if he refused to show up, the police knew how to get him.

The lawyer alleged that a particular businessman was behind the
issue, as there are plans to get him out of the way.

He also denied reports that policemen were killed at his place.
Calling on international organisations, Ejiofor said he has been a
target for defending IPOB members in court.

“I’ve committed no offence known to law. They are actually
interested in getting me out of the way. They are interested in
killing me because they have seen me as thorn in their flesh.
Because I am defending members of IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu. Any place
they arrest any IPOB member, they will always see me there. And I
have defeated them in virtual all of the cases. The terrorism tag
on IPOB is being challenged at the court of appeal and we are
awaiting judgement,” he said.

Atiku Slams N2.5bn Suit on Buhari’s Aide, Onochie over Hate
Speech
The forrmer Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
yesterday made true his threat to institute a N2.5B libel against a
Presidential aide, Mrs Lauretta Onochie over an alleged libelous
publication.

He was on Tuesday at the Registry of the Federal Capital
Territory Judiciary (FCT) where he formally deposed to his own
witness statement on Oath before the Commissioner for Oaths to
kick-start the libel suit against Onochie, an aide of President
Muhammadu Buhari.

Atiku, who was candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
in the February 23, 2019 presidential election, had in May this
year threatened legal action against Onochie, who is the Special
Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media,

The legal action was in connection to a publication wherein,
Onochie in her tweeter handled alleged that Atiku is on the
watchlist of security operatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
for alleged criminal matters.

Onochie in the said publication of May 7, 2019, which was also
published by many newspapers and online media platforms, also
accused Atiku of shopping for terrorists in the Middle East.

Atiku had while challenging the victory of President Buhari in
the February 23 presidential poll at the Presidential Election
Petition Tribunal and the Supreme, remained in the Unitef Arab
Emirate UEA until last week when he returned to the country.

In a letter dated May 14, 2019 and written on his behalf by his
lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, the former Vice President
described Onochie’s statement as not only vile and denigrating but
a calculated attempt to disparage his person in the eyes of right
thinking members of the public.

Onochie had on May 7, 2019 in her tweeter handled alleged that,
“Atiku on UAE watchlist – security sources. Security operatives in
the United Arab Emirates are keeping a close tab on a former
Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who has been in Middle
East nation for several weeks now. What is he doing there? Me:
shopping for terrorists?

But in his reaction, the PDP presidential candidate insisted
that there is no iota of truth in the said publication which is
beginning to affect public perception of his person, adding that,
the publication since it was made has caused him national and
international backlash and embarrassment as well as incalculable
damages.

“To say that our client is shopping for terrorists is not only
dishonest and reckless but is calculated and politically designed
to instigate security agents against him not only in the UAE but
across the world”, Ozekhome said.

He subsequently demanded Buhari’s Special Assistant to publish
and tender a written retraction of the said statement and apologize
over the said libelous publication in six national newspapers, one
international newspaper and all social media platforms wherein the
said publication was made.

In addition, Ozekhome on behalf of Atiku had demanded that
Onochie pay Atiku the sum of N500m as minimal damages to assuage
Atiku’s already battered image wholly caused by her said defamatory
publication.

The senior lawyer stated that failure to do so within 48 hours
of receipt of Atiku’s letter would compel them to “activate the
full weight of the legal machinery against the Special Assistant to
Buhari, where the sum of N2 billion would be demanded as
compensation for examplery, aggravated and punitive damages”.

Atiku’s presence in court Tuesday to sign his witness statement
is an indication that he is set to commence legal action against
the Presidential aide.

By PRNigeria^[1]