A legal practitioner and counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has raised alarm over what he described as increasing threats to his life and the safety of his family.
Ejiofor made this known in a petition dated December 29, 2025, in which he said the situation had become so serious that he found it necessary to formally inform the public and the international community. According to him, the threats are no longer isolated incidents but part of what he called a calculated campaign of intimidation and hostile conduct.
The lawyer, who hails from Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, said the decision to speak out was taken after careful thought, especially due to the growing concern for his personal safety and that of his immediate family.
In the petition, Ejiofor explained that he had earlier raised a public alarm over what he described as credible threats against him. He said the initial alarm led to widespread concern from Nigerians at home and abroad.
“Recall that I raised a public alarm concerning manifest and credible threats to my life and the safety of my family. That alarm elicited calls, messages, and expressions of deep concern from well-meaning individuals across all strata of society,” he stated.
However, the lawyer said that instead of the situation improving, the threats have continued and even increased.
“Regrettably, rather than abate, these threats have since persisted and intensified, compelling me to place this factual and historical account before the world,” he added.
Ejiofor did not give specific details of the threats in the petition but maintained that they were serious enough to warrant public attention and intervention.
The IPOB lawyer also disclosed that he is currently at his ancestral home in Oraifite, Anambra State, with his family for the Christmas and New Year festivities. He said this made the situation more worrying, as his family members are also exposed.
“It is common knowledge that I am presently at my ancestral home in Oraifite, Anambra State, together with my family, for the Christmas and New Year festivities,” the petition partly read.
He expressed concern that the festive period, which is usually a time for rest and celebration, has now become a period of fear and uncertainty for him and his loved ones.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor is a well-known legal representative of IPOB, a group that has been at the centre of political and security debates in Nigeria for several years. IPOB is a separatist group that seeks the creation of an independent state of Biafra from the South-East and parts of the South-South.
The group has been proscribed by the Federal Government, and its activities have often led to clashes with security agencies. As a result, individuals associated with IPOB, including its leaders and legal representatives, have faced intense public attention and scrutiny.
Ejiofor has represented IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in several legal matters. His role has placed him in the spotlight, making him a familiar figure in discussions around the group’s legal battles and human rights concerns.
Over the years, the South-East has witnessed heightened tension linked to security operations, enforcement of sit-at-home orders, and attacks on public institutions. Lawyers, activists, and community leaders involved in sensitive cases have sometimes reported threats and harassment.
Ejiofor’s latest claim adds to ongoing concerns about the safety of individuals involved in high-profile political and legal matters in the region.
While the lawyer did not directly accuse any group or individuals of being behind the threats, he said the pattern and persistence suggest an organised effort to intimidate him.
Since news of his petition became public, several individuals and groups have reportedly reached out to Ejiofor to express concern and solidarity. Civil rights advocates and legal colleagues have called for a thorough investigation into his claims.
By addressing the public and the international community, Ejiofor said he hopes to draw attention to his situation and ensure that any harm to him or his family does not go unnoticed.
He stressed that his decision to speak out was not driven by fear alone but by a sense of responsibility to document events as they unfold.
According to him, silence in the face of increasing threats could be dangerous, both for himself and for the rule of law.
The situation has once again raised questions about the safety of legal practitioners and activists in Nigeria, especially those involved in politically sensitive cases.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from security agencies regarding Ejiofor’s petition. It is also not clear whether any formal investigation has been opened into the alleged threats.
