The Igbo National Council (INC), alongside more than a dozen civil society organizations, has urged the Ebonyi State government and the State Commissioner of Police to withdraw all charges against Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC).
This appeal was made public through a statement released on Tuesday by INC President, Chilos Godsent.
Igboayaka was apprehended on February 8 in Owerri, the Imo State capital, shortly after securing re-election as the OYC President. His arrest stemmed from allegations that he had accused the Ebonyi State government of disregarding an OYC warning about an impending attack on the Amegu Nkalaha community in Ishielu Local Government Area.
Tragically, just four days after his warning, at least 16 people lost their lives in the attack.
INC President Godsent described Igboayaka’s arrest as an “operation reminiscent of a Neo-Mafia Gestapo-style abduction” that occurred during his victory celebration in Owerri. He was later discovered at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ebonyi State Police Command.
Reports suggest that during his detention, Igboayaka suffered mistreatment and his health deteriorated, prompting urgent medical intervention after civil society groups raised the alarm.
On February 12, while his legal team awaited further proceedings at the Ebonyi State Police Command, security operatives allegedly moved him from the hospital where he was receiving treatment to the Magistrate Court in Abakaliki.
There, he was arraigned on charges of felony and inciting public fear in the Amegu Nkalaha community. Following his arraignment, he was remanded at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre.
As the legal proceedings continue on Wednesday, the INC and its allied civil society groups insist that the charges against Igboayaka should be dropped, stressing that his detention violates his fundamental rights and suppresses Igbo youth activism.
They have also called on Nigerian youths and activists to stand in solidarity with Comrade Igboayaka at the Magistrate Court in Abakaliki.
Additionally, the groups urged Senator John Mbata, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, to intervene to ensure unity among Igbo organizations.
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