The youths and women wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have expressed concern over the continued incarceration of Onyekachi Orji at a federal correctional center in Anambra State.
Daily Post recalls that Onyekachi Orji is one of those incarcerated in the Federal correctional center in Onitsha, for over 15 years on accusation of violent agitation for biafra independence by Biafra National Guard (BNG).
In a statement by its acting National youth leader, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, after a visit to the latter in Onitsha prison, which was made available to Daily Post on Sunday night, the Ohanaeze wings, described Onyekachi Orji as a prisoner of conscience and asked the federal government of Nigeria to expedite her legal action towards freeing their detained sons and daughters, whose only crime seem to be their ‘igboness.’
The Ohanaeze wings led by by Mazi Chikwuma Okpalaezeukwu and Mrs. Rita Daniels respectively, regretted that such young people have had their dreams ended by their unjust imprisonment.
According to the Ohanaeze wings, “Mrs. Onyekachi Orji and other detainees were very happy with the solidarity shown to them by the Ohanaeze wings and further expressed their heartfelt desire for unconditional freedom from detention.
“It is abundantly clear that nothing fuels crisis and violence in any society more than injustice. These our brothers and sisters are among thousands of Igbo youths who have been unjustly detained over many years, some, without trial, others with inexplicably slow trial.
“Why would someone be happy that his or her relative is in prison for over 15 years without any court verdict condemning him or her? We have and will continue to do our best to facilitate peace in Ala Igbo, but governments across all levels must show the needed seriousness in supporting this process by doing their bit. One of such is to open the prison gates and release all our brothers and sisters, who are unjustly detained across Nigeria”.
The Igbo groups reiterated their unwavering commitment towards ensuring that they are not only freed from detention, but also compensate for their apparent unjust imprisonment.
The Ohanaeze wings, however, used the medium to commend its committee for their sacrifices at the visit to Mrs Orji and passion for peace in Igbo land, urging the federal government and other relevant stakeholders to accede to good logic and free the detainees.
