Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has accused the South African government of failing to protect Nigerians living in the country from recurring xenophobic attacks, calling on the African Union to hold Pretoria accountable over what he described as "state-sponsored terrorism in the guise of xenophobia." In a statement issued on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, Ejiofor said that while political controversies surrounding the Presidential Economic Promotion Council (PFIPC) have dominated public discourse in Nigeria, the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa deserve far greater attention.
Ejiofor argued that political scandals in Nigeria often disappear from public consciousness without accountability, but the repeated attacks on Nigerians abroad involve lives, livelihoods and fundamental human rights that cannot be ignored. "By every objective measure, discerning Nigerians have watched with profound concern the raging PFIPC scandal presently dominating the nation's political landscape," Ejiofor said. "Yet, the historical pattern of political scandals in Nigeria teaches us that political scandals, regardless of how sensational, often fade into oblivion, sometimes without accountability, sometimes without consequence, and frequently without institutional introspection. Give it one more month; it will be consigned to the things forgotten and past. This is Nigeria for you. Chi-fo anu ozo. A nation of endless tragedy!".
Explaining his decision to focus on the South African situation rather than the PFIPC scandal, Ejiofor said: "Not because the issues are unimportant, but because another matter of infinitely greater consequence continues to unfold beyond our borders, a matter involving the dignity, security, property, and lives of Nigerians resident in the Republic of South Africa". He alleged that Nigerians in South Africa have suffered repeated xenophobic violence, resulting in the loss of businesses, destruction of property, and forced displacement. He further noted that individuals responsible for the attacks have operated with inadequate restraint from the South African authorities.
Ejiofor also criticised remarks allegedly made by a South African government spokesperson concerning Nigerians affected by the attacks. "Rather than reassuring the international community that South Africa remains committed to the protection of all lawful residents, irrespective of nationality, the remarks, ostensibly coming from a heavily drunken, arrogant, and reckless South African spokesperson, appeared dismissive and deeply insensitive," he said. "If accurately reported, such comments represent a tragic departure from the diplomatic restraint expected of public officials and fall far below the standards expected of a constitutional democracy". He stressed that branding an entire nationality as criminal was unacceptable. "It is both regrettable and dangerous when an entire nationality becomes casually associated with criminality. Such sweeping generalisations offend every known principle of civilised governance," he said.
Citing several international human rights instruments, Ejiofor maintained that South Africa has binding obligations to protect all lawful residents regardless of nationality. He referenced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, arguing that they collectively require states to guarantee equality before the law, prohibit discrimination, and protect property rights. "These are not lofty academic ideals. They are binding international obligations voluntarily assumed by modern democratic States, including the Republic of South Africa," Ejiofor stated.
According to him, the repeated attacks on foreign nationals call into question South Africa's compliance with those obligations. "Consequently, any environment in which foreign nationals are routinely subjected to violence, displacement, and property deprivation, with inadequate state protection, raises fundamental questions about a state's adherence to its international human rights commitments," he argued. Ejiofor further stated that the time has come for African leaders to rise above diplomatic platitudes and demonstrate that the ideals of African solidarity extend beyond ceremonial declarations. He insisted that the protection of every African on African soil is not merely a political obligation but a fundamental responsibility.
Ejiofor urged the African Union to hold the South African government accountable for its actions, arguing that the recurring violence against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa constitutes a threat to the very idea of Pan-Africanism. His call comes amid a broader push by the Federal Government of Nigeria, which has formally urged the African Union to designate xenophobic attacks targeting Africans across the continent as a top-level security priority.
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