Our journey towards the total freedom of all Ezigbo UmuChineke still being illegally held in captivity in various correctional centres/detention facilities of the Federal Government of Nigeria, took us to Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, once again.
Recall the faces of these innocent UmuChineke in the attached photograph. These 36 innocent young men were all discharged and acquitted by the High Court of Ebonyi State on the 27th day of September, 2022, while Ruling on our “No Case” submission, which I personally argued and adopted.
Unfortunately, the prosecution ostensibly acting on the relative weakness of their case, had pre-emptively filed another fresh and entirely different charge on the 21st day of June, 2022, three months before the Ruling was delivered, so that in the likely event that the Ruling goes in our favour, these innocent young men would be rearrested on the strength of the new indictment/charge and consequently detained.
This demonic legal trap unfortunately, availed them, though momentarily, It will be, because when these UmuChineke were eventually discharged on the 27th day of September, 2022, they were rearrested on the strength of the frivolous/empty new charge and consequently detained.
Since then, the prosecution has been on a scripted hide and seek game, relentlessly perverting the course of justice through their unethical pattern that resulted in the continued incarceration of these innocent Children of Light.
However, the prosecutor danced to a different music in court today, being the 15th day of February, 2023, because I appeared in the court unannounced, and the rest is now history. The prosecution was literally paid in his own coin after the fierce legal fireworks.
The most brilliant Ruling delivered today by His Lordship, on my application truly served the justice of the matter. It was indeed a superlative outing, and the hope for their freedom is now crystalized. We are almost at the end of the road, and I may not dwell much on the details here. Their relatives who were in court today, went home in high spirits as you can see in the attached photographs.
I shall keep you all updated on every progress in the matter as we vigorously, but legally pursue their freedom and unconditional release.
I return all the glory and adoration to the Almighty ChukwuOkike Abiama for granting me journey mercies back home.
Thank you all, Ezigbo UmuChineke and do remain blessed.
We move!
Signed:
Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC)
IPOB Lead Counsel
15th February, 2022.
