Human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged Ndi-Igbo to completely disregard “fraudulent sit-at-home order” allegedly scheduled for Monday, 2 February 2026.
Ejiofor insisted that IPOB has no link to the directive from Emma Powerful.
He stressed that IPOB had long denounced all sit-at-home orders and had decisively disowned the publication circulating the claim.
The human rights lawyer made the appeal in a statement titled, “Weekend Musing: A Phantom Command, a Hijacked Megaphone, and the Final Unmasking of Purveyors of Fake News Under Corrupted Aliases – ‘Emma Powerful on Saturday’,”
Ejiofor addressed a report that went viral, alleging a total lockdown of Ala-Igbo under the guise of a sit-at-home directive.
“Let it be stated clearly, unequivocally, and without ambiguity: this directive is fake—a phantom, a calculated falsehood,” Ejiofor declared.
He said careful inquiry and diligent verification, especially in view of the fragile but hard-won calm gradually returning to the region, exposed the claim as misinformation.
Ejiofor said the platform known as “Emma Powerful” has been “fatally compromised” and hijacked by vested interests that thrive on fear, disruption and extortion.
He warned that such fabricated directives often provide cover for criminal elements who exploit confusion to unleash violence and intimidate innocent people.
Publication disowned
Ejiofor revealed that the peaceful global movement of IPOB had formally decisively and categorically distanced itself from the alleged order.
“IPOB has directed Ndi-Igbo to go about their lawful and normal activities without fear or intimidation,” he said.
He accused sections of the Nigerian media of amplifying unverified information for clicks and virality.
Ejiofor noted that any story loosely attributed to “Emma Powerful” often enjoys instant circulation without scrutiny.
“So long as a headline screams and trends, accuracy becomes an inconvenient afterthought,” he stated.
Going forward, Ejiofor said the message from IPOB was unmistakable. “Any publication attributed to ‘Emma Powerful’ should henceforth be treated with extreme suspicion, if not outright contempt.
He argued that the platform, in its present state, had positioned itself as “an adversary to the peace, progress, and collective well-being of Ala-Igbo.”
He stressed that merely advising people to ignore such publications was no longer sufficient. “The time has come for clarity and firmness,” Ejiofor said.
“Silence, ambiguity, or polite distancing only leaves room for continued abuse and misinformation.”
Advice to IPOB
Ejiofor urged IPOB to publicly explain to Ndi-Igbo why the platform had become unreliable and hostile to their collective interest.
He said such openness would help shut the door against fake directives that invite criminal infiltration.
Ejiofor expressed concern about the timing of the fake order.
He said it was reckless to circulate information capable of reopening old wounds when relative calm is resurfacing in South-East.
“History has taught us what happens when fake directives fall into the hands of violent opportunists masquerading as enforcers.”
He concluded urging vigilance and critical thinking. “A masquerade that dances with fire should not be mistaken for a messenger of truth.
He called on Ndi-Igbo to remain law-abiding and refuse to be manipulated by purveyors of fear and falsehood.
