Activists call for justice, urgent medical care for detained blogger, Ijele

By Ochiaka Ugwu

Members of Online Community of Irreligious People of Nigeria, Take it Back Movement Abuja Chapter, Abuja based Activist and Initiative Against Human Right Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT) have called for justice and immediate medical care for detained blogger, Mr. Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu popularly known as Ijele Speaks.

In a press conference addressed in Abuja Thursday by the National Coordinator of INAHURAT, Comrade Gerald O. Katchy, it noted the call for justice and immediate medical care became necessary owing to failing health and threatening medical condition of Ofoegbu who has been in detention for modern one year without proper trial.

According Katchy, “The Online Community of Irreligious People of Nigeria has gathered today, alongside, Take It Back Movement Abuja Chapter, Abuja based Activists, INAHURAT, concerned citizens and members of the media to draw national and international attention to the prolonged detention and life-threatening medical condition of Mr. Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as Ijele Speaks.

“Mr. Ofoegbu, a digital content creator and vocal social critic, has been held at Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos for over one year. His incarceration follows allegations of threat to life, defamation, and cybercrime by two influential religious figures—Evangelist Ebuka Obi, Spiritual Director of Zion Prayer Movement, and Rev. Prof. Victor Onukaogu, also known as Daddy Hezekiah, founder of Living Christ Mission.

“While we believe in the right of any citizen to seek redress through legal means, we are alarmed by the apparent abuse of legal processes to silence dissenting voices, particularly when such voices challenge the status quo or religious institutions.

“More critically, Mr. Ofoegbu is now suffering from kidney failure and is in urgent need of specialized medical care. Despite his dire condition, he remains in detention without access to appropriate treatment—a situation that threatens not only his right to fair trial, but his very right to life.

“This press briefing is not just about one individual—it is about every young Nigerian who dares to speak freely, who uses the internet to participate in national discourse, and who now faces the risk of imprisonment or death for exercising a constitutionally protected right.

“We call on the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and all relevant authorities to: Ensure immediate medical intervention for Mr. Ofoegbu, Review the legal proceedings surrounding his prolonged detention, Protect the rights Nigerian Youth and digital creators who speak truth to power without violence or hate.

“We also urge media houses, human rights organizations, and civil society groups to amplify this call and ensure that this case is not buried in silence. Let it be known that freedom of expression is not a crime. illness should not be a death sentence in prison. And justice delayed is justice denied” Katchy noted.

The groups with the hashtags #FreeljeleSpeaks, #JusticeForHarrison, #ProtectDigitalVoices had Abraham Daniel and Genesis Eririoma representing Online Community of Irreligious People of Nigeria, while Agena Robert Ande and Rex Elanu represented Take it Back Movement.