Lawyers claim social media influencer, Ijele, is in critical condition, coughing up blood in custody

Lawyer Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, also known as Ijele, raised concerns on Wednesday over his deteriorating health while being detained at the Nigerian Correctional Center (NCC) in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Ijele, who was arrested in March 2024 over a civil dispute, was reportedly coughing up blood, raising concerns about the availability of proper medical care at the facility.

The social media influencer is facing cybercrime and defamation charges filed by the Nigerian Police on behalf of the ministry of Zion Evangelist Ebuka Obi, Lagos.

His attorneys, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, sounded the alarm in a statement signed by Silas Onwugbonu, Esq., who said Ijele’s health had deteriorated significantly, without access to proper medical care.

The lawyers claimed that the police had filed three similar charges against Ijele in different courts, describing it as ‘persecution’.

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The lawyers emphasized Ijele’s innocence and criticized the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for what they saw as continued abuse despite the civil nature of the case.

The statement claimed Ijele’s health had been rapidly deteriorating, and there was no adequate medical care available at Ikoyi NCC.

The lawyers urged the Inspector General of Police to respect the court order and stop persecuting Ijele, who they said has the constitutional presumption of innocence.

They said, “A few days ago, our attention was drawn to the fact that our client, currently detained at the Nigerian Correctional Center (NCC), Ikoyi, Lagos State, is seriously ill. At the time this public statement was issued, our client’s health condition had deteriorated to the point of coughing up blood, and there were no medical facilities available to restore his health at the NCC, Ikoyi.

“As our client’s health continues to deteriorate by the hour, we ask the Inspector General of Police to order his officers to respect the court’s order and stop further abuse of our client, who enjoys the constitutional presumption of innocence. Deceased defendants cannot be tried.

“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, on the orders of the Nigerian Police, on March 19, 2024. in pure civil dispute.

“The Nigerian Police must refrain from casting itself as an interventionist in civil strife between citizens.”

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