Chidiebere Echefu, a father of five from Umuogbuanu Umucheke Okwe in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State, has been held in custody by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja since November 7, 2021, without trial or charges. Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, special counsel to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, has called for his immediate release, highlighting the suffering of Echefu’s family during his prolonged detention.
Echefu was allegedly “abducted” by DSS operatives from his Owerri residence during a midnight raid and detained alongside eight others. Ejimakor described the continued detention as a violation of human rights and has filed legal action to secure Echefu’s release, seeking a declaration that the detention is illegal and demanding ₦10 million in damages for each detainee.
Ejimakor criticized the DSS for resisting court proceedings and prolonging the detention without justification. He appealed to DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi to release Echefu unconditionally, emphasizing the adverse impact on his wife and children.
The case has drawn attention to allegations of arbitrary detention and disregard for due process by security agencies, with rights groups urging immediate action to uphold constitutional protections.
