The lawyer revealed that the Nigeria Police Force had filed multiple, identical charges against Ijele in different courts, describing it as persecution rather than prosecution.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has refused to produce documents relating to the continued detention of social media influencer, Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as "Ijele."
In June 25, human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, lawyer to Ofoegbu, had raised the alarm that Ijele was coughing out blood in prison.
Ijele has been in detention at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ikoyi in Lagos State.
Ijele, who was granted bail by a Federal High Court in Lagos on June 14, 2024, coughed blood because he has no access to medical facilities to attend to his health.
The statement read in part, “We wish to draw the attention of the general public to the deteriorating health condition of our client, Mr. Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu (IJELE), who has been detained since March 19, 2024, at the instance of the Nigeria Police Force, on a purely civil dispute.
“A few days ago, our attention was drawn to the fact that our client, who is currently detained at the Nigeria Correctional Centre (NCC), Ikoyi, Lagos State, is gravely ill. As at the time of issuing this public statement, our client’s health condition has deteriorated to the point of coughing up blood, with no medical facilities available to restore his health within the NCC, Ikoyi.
“It will be recalled that in furtherance of its desire to perpetually keep our client in detention, the Nigeria Police Force has filed three pending identical charges FHC/ABJ/CR/159/2024; INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE V CHIZOROM HARRIS OFOEGBU: FHC/L/312C/2924; INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE V CHIZOROM HARRIS OFOEGBU and FHC/AWK/CR/2024:INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE V CHUKWUKA CHIZOROM OFOEGBU, against our client, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Lagos and Awka, all at the instance of the same coalition of nominal complainants, and for the same alleged civil dispute.
“On June 14, 2024, the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, granted our client bail, following the spirited legal intervention of our revered Learned Silks Femi Falana, SAN, and Funmi Falana, SAN.
“However, in order to frustrate the bail granted to our client, officers of the Nigeria Police Force immediately went to NSC Ikoyi, and attempted to forcefully transfer him to Awka, Anambra state, on the basis of an alleged criminal summons.”
The lawyer revealed that the Nigeria Police Force had filed multiple, identical charges against Ijele in different courts, describing it as persecution rather than prosecution.
“It is on this note that we are constrained to state that the action of the Nigeria Police Force against our client has moved beyond criminal prosecution to persecution. The Nigeria Police Force must refrain from making itself available as an interventionist in civil disputes between citizens,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NCoS in letter to human rights activist and Convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, dated September 23, 2024, in response to his inquiry said it did not create or issue the production warrant of Ijele.
The letter with Ref: LSCH: 228/CON/VOL.XXV/168 and titled "Re, application for certified true copy of production warrant for Chizorom Harrison of Oegbu" was signed by O.O Oladokun, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, for Controller of corrections, Lagos State.
The letter partly read: "I refer to your letter dated 18th September on the caption matter.
"I am directed to provide the following response to your enquiry.
"The Nigeria Correction Service Lagos Command did not create or issue the production warrant for the above-named suspect. Consequently, the NCOS Lagos is not in a position to issue a certified true copy of this document. The Federal High Court, Awka, Anambra state will be the appropriate institution to make such request.
"For ease reference see. suit No FHC/AWK/C/284/24."
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