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I’ve survived 5 assassination attempts on my life, says Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer
The lead Lawyer of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor has called on his colleagues to move past blackmail, lies, and backstabbing and focus on the task of getting their client out of prison.
He also explained how he has survived five assassination attempts in the course of defending the IPOB leader.
According to him, despite achieving significant milestone in securing the freedom of Kanu and other comrades in 2017 and 2018 respectively, both state and non-state actors have attempted to eliminate him through various inordinate means, part of which was the invasion of his ancestral home in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, by security agencies.
Ejiofor said these in a statement titled, “Crucial Clarifications Regarding The Case/Trial Of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
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He said, “I have maintained a deliberate silence amidst the unfolding developments in the ongoing hearing on Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case. However, due to recent compelling circumstances and for record purposes, I find it necessary to provide some clarifications. It is crucial for Biafrans and Ezigbo Umuchineke to take note of the following points:
“I joined Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team in December, 2015 and eventually took on the role of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lead Counsel and also as the IPOB General/Lead Counsel in January, 2016.
“Since 2015, I have diligently performed my professional duties in defending Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB while upholding ethical standards.
“Despite achieving significant and unprecedented victories/milestone in securing the release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other comrades in 2017 and 2018 respectively, I have also worked tirelessly to secure the release of numerous IPOB members from detention facilities – both at the federal and state levels – possibly numbering in their thousands.
“These efforts have not gone without consequent repercussions, as both state and non-state actors have attempted to eliminate me through various inordinate means, part of which was the invasion of my ancestral home in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, by Nigerian Security agents, which murderous operation was bankrolled by a monster from my town whose identity and clandestine role is now a subject of public concerns.
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“During this operation, many civilians were murdered in their prime and over 30 houses were burnt, all in a bid to eliminate me at all costs and by any means for being Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Attorney and IPOB Lead counsel.
“Three of my wards, to wit; Ugochukwu Lawrence, Felix Okafor and Ikenna Chibuike abducted during this bloody invasion are still in detention till date, even as I struggle day in and day out to secure their release.
“Between the year 2015 and 2021, I have escaped five consecutive brutal assassination attempts ostensibly carried out by those who were on a specific instruction to kill me by any means and at all cost, and not because I am a criminal but because I was defending Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Ezigbo Umuchineke.
“This year marked it nine (9) good years that I have been on this case and without blemish too, despite relentless blackmail, backstabbing, and evil contrive by those who were ordinarily, supposed to align with the same objectives in the discharge of this onerous task.
“Despite challenges and attempts to undermine my work, I remain steadfast in providing legal services to IPOB – a peaceful global movement – as their General/Lead Counsel.
“I urge my colleagues leading the legal team and their handlers, to concentrate on the case and refrain from engaging in unnecessary blackmail against me and/or the erudite legal Silk – Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN. I hope that my colleagues will do all that is required of them to free Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a feat I single handedly achieved in 2017. It is time for them to repeat this same feat in 2024.
“By providing this clarification, I hope those affected will reconsider their actions and refrain from continuing in their futile attempts at tarnishing my hard earned reputation with baseless accusations. Failure of which, I might be compelled to make an exposé to Biafrans who deserve to know the truth.