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Nnamdi Kanu Back in the News as Police Declare his Lawyer Wanted

Kanu's Lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor has also given his own side of the story just as he denied all allegations levelled against him by the police.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is back in the news again after his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor was declared wanted by the Police.

Ejiofor was declared wanted after the fracas in Orifite, Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra state where two police officers were allegedly killed by IPOB members.

The fracas also led to the destruction of property worth millions at Ejiofor’s country home.

The recent violence linked to Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB is coming days after the leader of the proscribed group indicated his interest to return to Nigeria to continue his trial if his safety is guaranteed. This was part of Kanu’s bail restoration application brought by his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor before the federal high court in Abuja.

IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu

There are also unconfirmed reports that Kanu’s attempts to return to Nigeria is due to his intention to attend his mother’s burial coming soon.

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It is still unclear if there is any connection between Kanu’s intention to return to Nigeria and the Orifite crisis involving his lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor however speculations are rife that government is determined to bring Kanu back by all means to continue his trial.

Nnamdi Kanu in a tweet on December 2nd, 2019 alleged that Nigerian forces had invaded Ejiofor’s home to assassinate him and his family members calling the attempt a ‘jihad against Biafraland’.

Kanu is being tried for treasonable felony, hate speech and undermining national security after soldiers invaded his father’s compound in Afaraukwu, Umuahia in Abia State. 

The separatist was on bail when he fled Nigeria.

The Orifite Crisis

Officers burnt in the Orifitie Crisis

There are currently several conflicting reports on what really took place in Orifite however Anambra Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed said the command had attempted to effect an arrest on Ifeanyi Ejiofor following a formal complaint against the lawyer on alleged case of abduction and assault occasioning harm and malicious damage to property.

“As soon as police arrived at the house, armed men suspected to be IPOB members descended on the police, set ablaze one patrol vehicle and attacked them with rifles and machetes”

Haruna stated that two police officers identified as the Oraifite Area Commander Oliver Innoma Abbey and the SARS Commander, Ichi Sector, Patrick Agbazue were killed by the suspected IPOB members.

Haruna said the injured personnel were rushed to a hospital for medical attention and are presently receiving treatment.

Mohammad Haruna, Anambra State Police Spokesperson

Another report disclosed that the two policemen were killed during a clash between rival masquerade groups in Oraifite, Otu Afor, Otu Nkwor and Otu Eke at the weekend in the heat of Ejiofor’s brother’s burial on Saturday.

According to the report, one of the rival groups had two days after the clash, reported the incident to the police who swung into action to effect arrests.

It was learnt that it was under the pretext of arresting the culprits that the police stormed Ejiofor’s compound.

Meanwhile, Ejiofor has given his side of the story. Ejiofor said he had received a call from the Anambra state police command inviting him for a chat without further information on why he was being summoned.

According to Ejiofor before he could get to the police station the next day, he received a call informing him of a police invasion of his compound which led to several casualties.

Ejiofor insists he is not guilty of the allegations of kidnapping made against him.

Ejiofor Also Alleged that up to 20 to 30 people were killed during the police invasion of his home in Orifite.


Meanwhile, IPOB has denied any involvement in the attack and killing of the two policemen.

The group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said it was the policemen that killed IPOB members when they visited the house of their leader’s lawyer,Ifeanyi Ejiofor, and took away their bodies to conceal the act.

Also, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned Monday’s attack and burning down of the residence of the IPOB lawyer at Oraifite insisting the allegations of kidnapping against Ejiofor was an implausible excuse to take him into custody.

Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor had returned to Orifite, his home town for the burial of his Brother

The Possibility of Kanu’s Return To Nigeria

In response to his application to restore his bail on October 31st, a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako has told Nnamdi Kanu that prison is the only place his safety can be guaranteed in Nigeria.

Nnamdi kanu had asked the court to guarantee his safety as a precondition for him to return and continue his trial.

According to Justice Binta Nyako, even judges are not safe in the country saying “Even judges are being abducted in the country. So prison is the safest place for him (Kanu).”

Nnamdi Kanus case has been adjourned to January 16, 2020.

Nnamdi Kanu’s bail was granted in April 2017 but he consequently fled the country in September 2017 leading to the revoking of his bail on March 28, 2019, after he failed to appear in court.

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