A human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged residents of the South-East to ignore what he described as a “fraudulent” sit-at-home order allegedly scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, by a faction of the group.
The pro-Biafran organisation, through its spokesperson Emma Powerful, had earlier announced a sit-at-home across the region in solidarity with traders affected by the closure of the Onitsha Main Market.
Powerful said the planned shutdown was a peaceful and unified response to the decision of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to shut the market for one week.
However, in a counter-statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor dismissed the directive, saying the platform operating under the name “Emma Powerful” had been compromised and was acting against the collective interests of Ndi-Igbo.
He said IPOB had categorically disowned the sit-at-home order and advised residents to go about their lawful activities without fear.
“Let it be stated clearly, unequivocally, and without ambiguity: this directive is fake, a phantom and a calculated falsehood,” Ejiofor said.
According to him, careful inquiry and verification revealed that the so-called “Emma Powerful” platform had been hijacked by vested interests whose activities thrive on fear, disruption, extortion and the exploitation of vulnerable communities.
“The peaceful global movement of IPOB has formally and decisively distanced itself from this fabricated publication, directing Ndi-Igbo to continue their normal and lawful activities,” he said.
Ejiofor warned residents to treat any further publications attributed to “Emma Powerful” with extreme caution, describing the source, in its current state, as hostile to peace and stability in the South-East.
He expressed concern that the circulation of such information could undermine the fragile calm returning to the region and create opportunities for criminal elements to exploit the situation.
“History has taught us, at unbearable cost, what happens when fake directives fall into the hands of violent opportunists masquerading as enforcers,” he said.
Ejiofor added that IPOB must go further by publicly explaining why the source had become unreliable and compromised, warning that silence or ambiguity could encourage further abuse.
“A masquerade that dances with fire should not be mistaken for a messenger of truth,” the statement concluded.
