The International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law (Intersociety has strongly rejected the Federal Government’s excuses over the Oraifite (Anambra) mayhem of December 2, 2019 and insisted on setting up by same of an independent and impartial or credible Joint Investigation Board on the matter.

The rejection was conveyed via the rights group’s reply to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Barr Boss Gidahyelda Mustapha. The reply, referenced, INTERSOC/002/01/20/OSGF, was dated 27th Jan 2020 and.

It was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi (Chair of the Board), Obianuju Igboeli, Esq., (Head of Civil Liberties & Rule of Law), Chinwe Umeche, Esq., (Head of Democracy & Good Governance) and Ndidiamaka Bernard, Esq., (Head of Int’l Justice & Human Rights).

The OSGF reply to Intersociety, dated 20th Jan 2020, with communication or reference No. 56331/S.4/525; followed the group’s earlier letter to the Nigerian Government through same OSGF, dated 16th Dec 2029 and referenced: INTERSOC:001/12/19/OSGF/ABJ/NG. The OSGF’s reply was communicated through its Legal Unit/Legal Officer, Emmanuel E. Akissa, Esq.

The OSGF had in its letter claimed that “it cannot act or set up a Joint Investigation Board as demanded by Intersociety because of the pendency of a fundamental human rights suit filed by the Chief Victim (Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor) in which the OSGF was not joined as a party”.

Intersociety, however, strongly rejected the OSGF’s excuses particularly to the effect that “all the judicial remedies available before relevant Courts shall be exhausted by us since our case is still pending in Court”.

“In other words, the OSGF is telling us that it shall not carry out its constitutional and statutory functions and duties in the instant case because ‘a fundamental rights suit filed by the Chief Victim, Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor (not Intersociety) for purpose of preventing further police and army mayhem including attacks on his person and properties is pending in Court’,” Intersociety said n yesterday’s reply.

It further maintained that the OSGF’s reference to the matter as ‘ours’ is wrong, arguing: “We are Int’l Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law-INTERSOCIETY and not Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor/I.C. Ejiofor Law Firm” and “we independently investigated the mayhem and findings made led to our letter to the OSGF, dated 16th Dec 2019. Our intervention, investigation and letter were all done as ‘Public Interest Matter’ and must be treated so.”

Intersociety also pointed out that: (a) It did not file the said suit in Court and were not a party in same, (b) from its enquiry, the OSGF is also not joined as a party in the suit, and (c) there is no court order either from the referenced fundamental rights suit or any other restraining the OSGF from performing its functions in the matter including setting up a Joint Investigation Board as demanded.

“Intersociety, therefore, sees the excuses by the OSGF as ‘escapist’ and its fall back on ‘pendency of the matter in Court’ very despicable and condemnable. It is also nothing short of promotion of a culture of impunity and repeat-offense. It must be generally pointed out that under the extant laws of the country, no court can stop the OSGF from constituting and superintending such Joint Investigation Board and the investigation proper.

“We hereby call on the OSGF to rescind its decision, reverse and rewind same and do the needful as strongly demanded in the said letter of 16th Dec 2019. Again, it is our strong demand that A Joint Investigation Board Be Set Up By The OSGF Into The Oraifite-Anambra Police & Military Mayhem Of 2nd Dec 2019,” the rights group said in a statement issued this morning from its headquarters in Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria.