Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, the Special Counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC).
Igboayaka was arrested on Saturday night in Owerri, Imo State, shortly after his victory in the OYC presidential election during the Council’s national convention. His arrest, which many initially believed to be an abduction, took place at Ochez Suites in the city’s Works Layout. According to the Ebonyi State Police Command, the arrest was carried out on the orders of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration in Ebonyi State, following a petition filed against him.
In a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, clarified that Igboayaka’s arrest stemmed from an accusation involving the spread of false information, allegedly capable of disturbing peace and destabilizing communities within the state. However, the OYC insists that Igboayaka’s arrest was politically motivated, triggered by his statement following recent deadly herdsmen attacks in Amegu village, Nkalaha community, in Ebonyi’s Ishielu Local Government Area.
Igboayaka had alleged that the OYC’s Directorate of Intelligence had informed Governor Nwifuru of an imminent attack by suspected herdsmen in the area just days before the violence occurred. His public criticism of the governor’s failure to act led to increasing tensions within the region, which the state government reportedly found problematic.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council has also raised concerns about a possible conspiracy against Igboayaka. The Council claimed that the Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi State, Hon. Jude Chikadibia Okpor, is collaborating with the Commissioner of Police to fabricate charges against the OYC president.
Reacting to the situation, Aloy Ejimakor demanded Igboayaka’s immediate release, urging South-East leaders to intervene in what he described as a troubling development. In his statement, Ejimakor called for a collective effort to ensure the rights of the Ohanaeze Youth President are upheld, stating:
“I hereby demand the immediate release of Igboayaka Igboayaka (President of Ohaneze Youths) who was arrested under questionable circumstances in Owerri and taken to Ebonyi, reportedly on the orders of Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru. Ndigbo should intervene.”
The call for Igboayaka’s release has sparked growing concern among the OYC and other stakeholders in the South-East region. Tensions are high as the investigation continues, and the situation remains under intense scrutiny. Supporters of Igboayaka and human rights groups have called for transparency in the handling of his case.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether political intervention will lead to the release of the Ohanaeze Youth Council President or if legal actions will intensify against him.
