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By Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka
The experience of my arrest and incarceration, which occurred from February 8th to March 18th, 2025, beginning at the Anti-Kidnapping cell of the Ebonyi State Police Command and concluding at Abakalikii Prison, bears a striking resemblance to the trials of Joseph in the Bible. It has been a social and political missionary journey for me.
On 8th February 2025, subsequent to my re-election as National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council OYC at the Owerrri National Convention, I was abducted by the Nigeria Police, Ebonyi State Headquarters, Anti-Kidnapping department in Owerri at approximately 7:30pm. From the point of my abduction, I was subjected to physical assault, brutalization, and torture, which necessitated my emergency hospitalization on Tuesday, 11th, and Wednesday, 12th February at the Police Clinic, Abakalikii.
Subsequent to a brutal assault that nearly resulted in my death, a policeman interrogated me, asking, ‘Who are you to publicly criticize the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru?, We will detain you here till this year and nothing will happen” The police boasted and claimed they have been searching for me in Imo State since one week, I wondered such operation couldn’t have been sponsored by mere individual. They came with Lexus Jeep and sienna. This raised my concern it could be they’re acting at instructions of the Governor. As my physical condition deteriorated, they clandestinely transferred me from the hospital to Magistrate Court in Abakaliki, where I was arraigned before Magistrate Court and detained at Abakaliki Prison while undergoing medical treatment. The magistrate, seemingly beholden influenced, callously disregarded my fragile state, ignoring the drip attached to my hand, and committed me to prison without benefit of counsel by 5:25 pm on February 12, 2025.
I had a shocking experience in which Magistrate Sandra Ifeanyi-Oyibe, after acknowledging that the Ebonyi Police Command Anti-Kidnapping department had deliberately denied me access to legal aid, expressed her willingness to represent me. However, I found it intriguing that Magistrate, who may have been pressured to ensure my detention at Abakiliki prison, would also offer to act as my legal representative. This incident has raised concerns about the integrity of our Magistrates Court, which appears to operate with impunity, corruption, and a disregard for the law, as exemplified by Magistrate.
I distinctly remember that from 8th to 12th February 2025, I endured brutalization and torture, sustaining a neck injury, at the hands of the Nigeria Police Force Anti-kidnapping Squad, Ebonyi State Police Command, as a direct result of my advocacy for a government that prioritizes the protection of lives and properties of Ebonyians and Ndigbo.
The Ebonyi State Governor has a Security Adviser who failed to provide guidance on safeguarding the lives and properties of Ebonyians, advice that was readily offered by Ohanaeze Youth Council. The Governor also has a Commissioner of Information and a Special Adviser on Media, yet these departments failed to effectively communicate to the Governor the need to equip vulnerable communities.
Ohanaeze Youth Council(OYC), through its national president Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, acted as a responsible citizen and advocate for good governance, seeking enhanced security in Ebonyi and Igboland at large. On January 29, 2025, instead of receiving commendation for offering advice to the State Governor, Comrade Igboayaka was subjected to abduction, torture, and imprisonment from February 8 to March 18, 2025.
Following the discovery of a conspiracy as if these police are acting on the Governor’s instructions to perpetuate my imprisonment, my legal team, led by Barr. Ngozi Olehi (SAN), filed an application for the enforcement of my fundamental human rights, which were violated by the Nigeria Police as if at the behest of Governor Francis Nwifuru. I recall being denied access to counsel, family, associates, my organization Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), and friends during my detention at the Anti-Kidnapping department, until I was hospitalized at the Abakiliki Police Clinic.
MY INTRIGUING EXPERIENCE WITH HON. JUSTICE MABEL TAIYE SEGUN-BELLO AT FEDERAL HIGH COURT 2 ABAKILIKI
Lo and behold the most intriguing aspect of my ordeal, at the federal high court 2 Abakiliki where my team of lawyers filed my matter is being presided by Justice MABEL TAIYE SEGUN-BELLO, a Jurist with the heart of Gold and fairness whom I inadvertently offended through my article on one of my publications in 2023 when she was presiding on the disbandment of Ebube Security Network at Ebonyi State.
Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello had the opportunity to exact revenge, but she chose to prioritize fairness and justice instead. The judicial integrity she exhibited is verily shocking to me and all observers in the Court room. The extent of Government involvement in the initial denial of bail at the Abakiliki Magistrate Court remains verily clear, but Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello refused to compromise her impartiality, ignoring both the Governor’s influence and any personal animosity. By upholding the law, she granted my bail application, earning my admiration as a beacon of hope for the common man in Nigeria’s judiciary.
In recognition of her outstanding service to the cause of justice, I respectfully invite Igbo youths to join me in celebrating the remarkable courage and unwavering integrity displayed by Justice MABEL TAIYE SEGUN-BELLO, who selflessly granted me bail in the face of extreme adversity, demonstrating her unshakeable commitment to upholding the principles of justice and her refusal to be intimidated by the forces of oppression. The decision by Justice MABEL TAIYE SEGUN-BELLO to grant me bail had a profound impact on the Government House of Ebonyi State, that there are outstanding Judges in Nigeria.
I dedicate this one year anniversary of my illegal incarceration at Abakiliki Medium Prison as aided by political sycophants who influenced my brother Gov Francis Nwifuru the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State to Justice MABEL TAIYE SEGUN-BELLO, a Juris with the heart of gold.
I appreciate the fact that Amnesty International, on 17th March 2023, cautioned the Nigerian Government against threatening critics. His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Governors of Igbo extraction should acknowledge the importance of political critics as a positive force and a strength to the Government, rather than resorting to threats via police and other security agents.
I would like to inform my brother Gov. Francis Nwifuru globally, recognizing that political critics and opposition are the backbone of government, armed solely with the power of the pen rather than guns or bombs.
Today I urge Governors of Igbo heritage, notably Gov Francis Nwifuru, to consider the pen a harmless medium that reforms the outlook of leaders afflicted with a tyrannical temperament.
As a champion of justice, I use my pen to correct, not condemn, and to promote a passion for effective governance. The pen is a potent symbol of resistance against oppression, offering hope to those who are marginalized.
In Igboland, social crusaders and political activists have been subjected to severe intimidation, abduction, torture, and imprisonment by their own brothers in high-ranking government positions. However, these social crusaders and activists are the genuine forces that influence the government and provide a true reflection of the governors’ performance, unlike their Alleluia Commissioners and sycophantic appointees.
Constructive critics are indispensable to effective governance, serving as the eyes and ears of the government. As such, the Nigeria Police must refrain from abducting, intimidating, and torturing these vital stakeholders. As a victim of police brutality, abduction, intimidation, and torture, I urge my brother Gov Francis Nwifuru and other Southeast Governors to establish a more constructive and respectful dialogue with political critics, rather than relying on harassment, intimidation, abduction, torture, and imprisonment.
I remain deeply convinced that His Excellency Gov Francis Nwifuru was misadvised, those that surround him lied to him regarding the Ohanaeze Youth Council(OYC) publication on 29th January and 4th February 2025, which culminated in my abduction.
It has been brought to my attention that political sycophants around Gov Francis Nwifuru lied to him that I was influenced by his predecessor, former Gov. David Umahi, or other political opponents in my criticism. Nevertheless, I want to categorically state that my criticism of Igbo political office holders is driven by my personal conviction for good governance in Igboland. My dear brother Gov Francis Nwifuru, “A BU M MMANWU NA ETI ONWE YA”, genuinely and so passionate for economic development of Alaigbo.
I have observed why certain leaders make egregious errors, which is largely due to the 95% of political appointees surrounding them. The circumstances surrounding my abduction, torture, and imprisonment were a direct result of unhealthy advice His Excellency Francis Nwifuru received from sycophants and mediocre individuals within his government.
May God bestow upon him and our leaders the willpower and sensitivity to tackle sycophants, who are more detrimental to the government than critics with positive intentions.
Finally, I respectfully appealed to the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Francis Nwifuru, to establish a Special Judiciary Commission of Inquiry to investigate the cases of thousands of Ebonyi youths languishing in prison, particularly in Abakiliki prison and Afikpo prison. Your Excellency, you will be shocked to discover that many of the Ebonyi youths, your subjects are languishing in prison have no valid reason to be incarcerated.
Your Excellency, I am compelled to bring to your attention the distressing circumstances faced by Ebonyi youths detained in Abakiliki Medium Prison. It is regrettable that individuals who possess the potential to contribute positively to Ebonyi’s growth are currently imprisoned due to errors. A substantial number have been incarcerated for 7-12 years without trial, while many others have been granted bail but lack the necessary resources to perfect it. Additionally, some community youths leaders in Ebonyi State have been wrongly accused of cultism and have spent over 8 years in Abakiliki prison. Although I extended support during my incarceration , I firmly believe that your intervention as the number one citizen of Ebonyi State is essential in addressing this pressing issue.
Your Excellency I humble appeal that your Executive Pardon is needed by many inmates at Abakiliki Medium Prison.
I am deeply grateful to all those who advocated for justice and mediation, leading to my release. I extend my sincere appreciation to my legal team, led by Bar Ngozi Olehi SAN, as well as former Imo State Governor, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Senator Ned Nwoko, Sen Athan Achonu, Dr Success Akagburuonye, Chief Tony Okeke, Dr Joe Nworgu, Chief Micheal Onuoha, Chief Uwaezuoke, Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie, Comrade Chilos Godsent & Team of Comrades, Comrade Chinonso Uba & Team, Comrade Omoyele Sowore & Revolution Now Team, Bar Aloy Ejimakor & Team, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Chief Chikwe Udensi, Hon. Michael Ikeoku, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Charles Ahize, Sen. Patrick Ndubueze, and Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo, who presented a petition on my behalf to the federal House of Representatives.
I also appreciate all advocates of freedom, supporters of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) globally, and my fans.
I am indebted to you all and reaffirm my commitment: I Shall Not Compromise this struggle.
Comrade Igboayaka is the National President General, Ohanaeze Youth Council
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