Sit-at-Home order by IPOB on Feb. 2 fake news, says IPOB lawyer, Ejiofor

*‘Directive is fake, a phantom, a calculated falsehood’

BY ORIAKU IJELE

Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has joined in urging Ndi Anambra and all Igbos indeed to ignore the calls widely circulated in the media about a total shutdown of the South East on Monday February 2, describing the news as fake, and an attempt by criminal elements to scuttle the relative peace being witnessed in Igbo land in the past few months.

In a press statement to counter the former, Ejiofor, noted, “Once again, the well-worn theatre of misinformation has opened its curtains, this time with a particularly lazy script and an insultingly predictable cast.

“It is no longer news that certain segments of the Nigerian media have perfected the unedifying art of publishing first and verifying later, if at all. So long as a headline screams, trends, and generates clicks, accuracy becomes an inconvenient afterthought. Truth, it appears, is optional; virality is king.

“Predictably, these outlets recoil in visible excitement whenever any information, real, recycled, or recklessly fabricated, is loosely attributed to “Emma Powerful.” The mere scent of that name, regardless of authenticity, is enough to guarantee instant circulation, feverish readership, and uncritical acceptance. One might almost admire the efficiency, if it were not so dangerous.

“Late yesterday, a report was widely circulated alleging that a total lockdown of Ala-Igbo had been ordered under the guise of a sit-at-home directive purportedly issued by “Emma Powerful,” slated for Monday, 2 February 2026.

“Let it be stated clearly, unequivocally, and without ambiguity: this directive is fake, a phantom, a calculated falsehood.

“Upon careful inquiry and diligent verification, especially considering the delicate and hard-won calm presently returning to our homeland, it became glaringly obvious that the so-called “Emma Powerful” platform has been fatally compromised. It has been hijacked by vested interests whose business model thrives on fear, disruption, extortion, and the cynical exploitation of vulnerable communities.

“The peaceful global movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has formally and decisively disowned this fabricated publication, categorically distancing itself from the false sit-at-home order and directing Ndi-Igbo to go about their lawful and normal activities without fear.

“Going forward, the message from IPOB is unmistakable:

Any publication attributed to “Emma Powerful” should be treated with extreme suspicion, if not outright contempt.

“Frankly, one cannot but express astonishment, bordering on disbelief, that at such a critical juncture, when relative peace is cautiously resurfacing in Ala-Igbo, anyone would recklessly circulate information capable of reopening wounds and inviting criminal infiltration. History has taught us, at unbearable cost, what happens when fake directives fall into the hands of violent opportunists masquerading as enforcers.

“It is therefore no longer sufficient to merely advise our people to “ignore” publications from this source. The time has come for greater clarity and firmness. The platform known as “Emma Powerful,” in its current corrupted state, has positioned itself as an adversary to Ala-Igbo’s peace, progress, and collective well-being.

“The peaceful global movement must go further by publicly and definitively explaining to our people why this source has become unreliable, compromised, and hostile to our collective interest. Silence, ambiguity, or polite distancing only leaves room for further abuse. A masquerade that dances with fire should not be mistaken for a messenger of truth. Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC)”.

Meanwhile, Anambra State government has directed schools and markets to stop the observance of Monday sit at home.