By CHARLES IWUOHA

Labour Party (LP) chieftain and former House of Representatives candidate, Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, alleging persistent death threats from individuals he describes as “political enforcers” operating in Ebonyi State.

Ezeh, who contested for the Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency seat in the 2023 elections, claims the threats were issued in response to his public commentary on governance and political developments in the state.

The suit, filed under No. 4130/28, lists two individuals including Felix Okemini (a.k.a. Jango) and Sunday Ogbonnia (a.k.a. Bakassi) as respondents.

The Inspector-General of Police is also joined in the action to ensure law-enforcement oversight and enforcement of any orders the court may grant.

Invoking Sections 33, 38, 39, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Ezeh is seeking a judicial declaration that the alleged threats amount to unlawful violations of his rights to life, liberty, freedom of thought, expression, and dignity.

In his supporting affidavit, he states that the threats have made it “impossible to live freely without fear of being harmed,” insisting that court intervention is necessary to “affirm the sanctity” of his fundamental freedoms.

In a statement, Ezeh said he opted for legal redress rather than confrontation.

“I refuse to be dragged into the gutters. We are a country governed by laws, and I have chosen the legal path rather than succumb to intimidation.

"No man will stand idle while his life and that of his family are threatened,” he said.

Drawing on Homeric imagery, he compared the alleged attacks to the dishonour King Odysseus faced on his return home, saying his critics hoped he would “run and never return.”

Ezeh disclosed that efforts to resolve the dispute amicably collapsed “under painful circumstances,” forcing him to seek judicial protection.

He insisted that the threats escalate whenever he comments publicly on governance issues in Ebonyi State, a pattern he believes is politically motivated.

He said a date is yet to be fixed for the hearing of the originating motion, though his legal team is seeking urgent protective orders to restrain the respondents from further harassment or interference.

As of press time, neither law-enforcement authorities nor the accused individuals have issued public statements addressing the allegations.