Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor has condemned the statement issued by Amnesty International (Nigeria) in which the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was blamed for the Okigwe killings in Imo State.

In a statement on Monday, Ejiofor said it is imperative to underscore the need for a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation.

According to him, the quick attribution of the killings to IPOB, without exhaustive verification, raises serious concerns about the integrity and neutrality of the report.

"This approach does not align with the expected standards of a globally respected human rights organisation," he said.

"It must be unequivocally stated that no individual or authority, regardless of their constitutional powers, is permitted to take another's life outside the due process enshrined in Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The sanctity of human life must remain inviolable.

"I therefore strongly condemn, the killing of innocent travellers by yet to be identified heartless perpetrators - beasts in human form who have lost every connection to humanity. I call on Nigerian's security agencies to promptly and meticulously investigate these heinous crimes and ensure that those responsible are identified, apprehended, and prosecuted according to the law. The security agencies should stop paying lip service as they often do, and actually conduct a thorough investigation into these dastardly and wanton killings."

Ejiofor said after a careful review of Amnesty International Nigeria’s statement, he observed several inconsistencies and troubling lapses.

He itemized then: "1. Questionable Source of Casualty Figures: Amnesty International Nigeria reported specific casualty figures without disclosing any independent verification sources. This departs from their well-established protocol, which emphasises independent investigations often taking days or weeks before conclusions are drawn.

"2. Premature Attribution of Blame: While the police acknowledged the attack, they refrained from confirming exact casualty numbers or the real identity of the attackers. Amnesty’s conclusive link to IPOB, therefore, appears speculative and unsubstantiated.

"3. Potential Conflict of Interest: Concerns have also been raised about the neutrality of the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, who use to hold a political appointment as Special Assistant to the Governor of Yobe State. This dual role casts a shadow over the objectivity of the organisation’s reporting.

"4. Ongoing Threats in the Region: It is a well-known fact that remnants of armed elements loyal to Simon Ekpa continue to destabilise communities across the Southeast. While this remains a security concern demanding urgent state intervention, it should not justify rushed attributions of blame without due diligence.

"In conclusion, it is imperative that national and international stakeholders demand a credible, unbiased, and fact-driven investigation into the Okigwe killings. The loss of innocent lives must not be politicized or sensationalized. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, both to honour the victims and to safeguard the rule of law in our democracy.

"Only the truth, firmly established through rigorous investigation, can pave the path to justice and lasting peace."

ASA