In addition to calling for a comprehensive, unbiased, and evidence-based investigation, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a human rights attorney and counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra, criticized the Amnesty International report on the Okigwe deaths, calling it “hurried and full of inconsistencies.”
Remember how some travelers were assaulted and killed a few days ago along the Okigwe Road in Imo State by some unidentified armed men?
Reactions to the suspected killings have been divided, with some calling for a comprehensive inquiry to identify the killers.
However, Ejiofor noted in a statement issued on Tuesday that the Amnesty International report’s impartiality and integrity are seriously called into question given the hasty attribution of the killings to IPOB without thorough verification.
He claims that this strategy does not meet the requirements of a human rights organization that is well regarded.
He called on Nigerian security agencies to swiftly and thoroughly investigate the horrific crimes and make sure that those responsible are found, captured, and prosecuted in accordance with the law, even as he denounced the murder of the defenseless travelers by as-yet-unidentified “heartless” criminals.
The statement said, “It is crucial to emphasize the need for a comprehensive, unbiased, and evidence-based investigation in view of the recent hurried statement published by Amnesty International (Nigeria) on the Okigwe killings.
“There are major questions regarding the report’s objectivity and integrity given the hasty attribution of the deaths to IPOB without thorough verification.
“It must be clearly stated that no person or authority, regardless of their constitutional powers, is allowed to take another person’s life without following the due process guaranteed by Section 33 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).” Human life must continue to be regarded as sacred.
“I urge Nigeria’s security forces to look into these horrible crimes as soon as possible and thoroughly so that the perpetrators can be found, captured, and legally prosecuted.”
“The security agencies should stop paying lip service as they often do, and actually conduct a thorough investigation into these dastardly and wanton killings.”
The human rights lawyer said upon a careful review of Amnesty International Nigeria’s statement, several inconsistencies and troubling lapses were observed, such as “questionable sources of casualty figures, premature attribution of blame, potential conflict of interest and ongoing threats in the region”.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“It is a well-known fact that remnants of armed elements loyal to Simon Ekpa continue to destabilise communities across the South-East. While this remains a security concern demanding urgent state intervention, it should not justify rushed attributions of blame without due diligence,” he added.
A credible, objective, and fact-based investigation into the Okigwe killings must be demanded by national and international parties, he said.
In order to honor the victims and preserve the rule of law in our democracy, he emphasized that the loss of innocent lives must not be politicized or sensationalized. He also added that justice must be done and seen to be done.
“The road to justice and enduring peace can only be paved by the truth, which must be firmly established through thorough investigation,” he declared.
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