Human Rights Lawyer, Ejiofor Demands Justice for Nigerian Citizen Killed by Swiss Police

By Olisemeka Obeche

Human Rights lawyer and Lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor has raised alarm over the alleged extrajudicial killing of a Nigerian citizen, Michael Kenechukwu Ekemezie by Switzerland security operatives.

Meanwhile, Nigerians and other Africans residing in Switzerland have taken to the streets in protest, demanding accountability, transparency, and justice over Ekemezie’s death.

Ejiofor in a statement issued on May 30, 2025, described the death of the Anambra born Ekemezie, on May 25 as a repeat of the infamous murder of George Floyd in the United States of America which sparked global outrage and protest.

He condemned the silence of Swiss authorities over the poor handling of the arrest of Mr. Ekemezie and the tortuous treatment meted out to him, leading to his death still handcuffed Lausanne, Switzerland.

Ejiofor who who had already petitioned the government of Switzerland through its Embassy in Nigeria, the Nigerian government and the International human rights organizations, civil society groups and media, Insists that justice must be served in the case.

“It is with profound heartbreak and heavy sense of outrage that we speak on the tragic killing of Mr. Michael Kenechukwu Ekemezie, a Nigerian citizen and an indigene of Anambra State, who was fatally assaulted by officers of the Swiss police in Lausanne, Switzerland, on the 25th May, 2025.

“Mr. Ekemezie, had lived in Switzerland for over a decade working hard like many others in pursuit of a better life. But on that day, his life was cut short in a brutal encounter with law enforcement —an encounter that bears chilling similarities to the infamous murder of George Floyd in the United States, exactly five years earlier.

“The footage emerging from Lausanne shows Michael, too, handcuffed and pinned face-down, by an officer who used brutal force that proved fatal. His distress was visible. His life could have been saved. But he was left there- ignored, unheard, ultimately lifeless . No attempt was made to help him. He was subjected to lethal force that ultimately led to his death.

“What is equally painful is not only the brutal manner of Mr. Ekemezie’s death but the deafening silence that has followed it.

“This silence is both unacceptable and deeply troubling, especially as it suggests a deliberate effort to downplay or conceal the brutal nature of the killing. It further suggests that Michael’s life, like those of many Africans, can be taken without consequence or even acknowledgement.

“In the face of this, Nigerians and other Africans residing in Switzerland have taken to the streets in protest, demanding accountability, transparency, and justice. Yet the response from the Swiss authorities has been lukewarm at best. Swiss authorities’ response thus far, has failed to meet the minimum threshold of transparency and urgency required in such egregious cases of state-sanctioned violence.

The Demands:
“We have since submitted a detailed and strongly-worded petition to the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria, demanding the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of the officers involved in this heinous act.

“Among other things, our petition calls for: a full, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident; Public disclosure of the identities and roles of all officers involved; Immediate suspension and arrest of the officers pending investigation; An official apology and appropriate compensation for Michael’s family; Concrete reforms to prevent such abuse in the future.

“We have also formally petitioned the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and other relevant government bodies, demanding prompt diplomatic engagement with the Swiss Government. The life of every Nigerian citizen, whether at home or abroad, must be treated with dignity and protected with resolve.

“This is not merely about one man’s death—it is about justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life. It is about sending a clear message that Nigerian lives cannot be wasted with impunity, and that the international community must not turn a blind eye when Africans are killed unjustly.

“As we mourn the painful loss of Mr. Michael Kenechukwu Ekemezie, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice through all lawful and diplomatic means, for him, for his family, and for all those whose lives have been marked by violence and silence.

“Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

PRESS STATEMENT
ON THE GRUESOME EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLING OF MR. MICHAEL KENECHUKWU EKEMEZIE BY SWISS POLICE OFFICERS IN LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND, ON MAY 25TH, 2025

It is with profound heartbreak and heavy sense of outrage that we speak on the tragic killing of Mr. Michael Kenechukwu Ekemezie, a Nigerian citizen and an indigene of Anambra State, who was fatally assaulted by officers of the Swiss police in Lausanne, Switzerland, on the 25th May, 2025.

Mr. Ekemezie, had lived in Switzerland for over a decade working hard like many others in pursuit of a better life. But on that day, his life was cut short in a brutal encounter with law enforcement —an encounter that bears chilling similarities to the infamous murder of George Floyd in the United States, exactly five years earlier.

We remember how the world watched in horror on May 25th , 2020 when George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was murdered in cold blood- a White police officer knelt on his neck for over nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face-down on a street in Minneapolis. His final words/dying cries, his helplessness, and the silence of those around him, sparked global reckoning with racial injustice and police brutality.

Sadly, history has repeated itself on May 25, 2025. The footage emerging from Lausanne shows Michael, too, handcuffed and pinned face-down, by an officer who used brutal force that proved fatal. His distress was visible. His life could have been saved. But he was left there- ignored, unheard, ultimately lifeless . No attempt was made to help him. He was subjected to lethal force that ultimately led to his death.

What is equally painful is not only the brutal manner of Mr. Ekemezie’s death but the deafening silence that has followed it. Unlike the global response that followed George Floyd’s death, the murder of Mr. Ekemezie has received little to no coverage from major international media outlets such as CNN, BBC, or Al Jazeera. Within Nigeria, mainstream media has also largely remained silent. This silence is both unacceptable and deeply troubling, especially as it suggests a deliberate effort to downplay or conceal the brutal nature of the killing. It further suggests that Michael’s life, like those of many Africans, can be taken without consequence or even acknowledgement.

In the face of this, Nigerians and other Africans residing in Switzerland have taken to the streets in protest, demanding accountability, transparency, and justice. Yet the response from the Swiss authorities has been lukewarm at best. Swiss authorities’ response thus far, has failed to meet the minimum threshold of transparency and urgency required in such egregious cases of state-sanctioned violence.

Upon being officially briefed by Mr. Ekemezie’s devastated family, our legal team immediately began the process of seeking justice through diplomatic and legal channel aimed at invoking all available international legal and diplomatic mechanisms. We have since submitted a detailed and strongly-worded petition to the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria, demanding the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of the officers involved in this heinous act. Among other things, our petition calls for:

1. A full, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident;

2.  Public disclosure of the identities and roles of all officers involved;

3.  Immediate suspension and arrest of the officers pending investigation;

4.  An official apology and appropriate compensation for Michael’s family;

5.  Concrete reforms to prevent such abuse in the future. 

We have also formally petitioned the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and other relevant government bodies, demanding prompt diplomatic engagement with the Swiss Government. The life of every Nigerian citizen, whether at home or abroad, must be treated with dignity and protected with resolve.

This is not merely about one man’s death—it is about justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life. It is about sending a clear message that Nigerian lives cannot be wasted with impunity, and that the international community must not turn a blind eye when Africans are killed unjustly.

We call on:
• The Government of Switzerland to rise to its international obligations and ensure justice is done;

•   The Nigerian Government to assertively demand answers and justice for its citizen;

•   International human rights organizations, civil society groups, and media platforms to speak out and shine a light on this gross injustice.

As we mourn the painful loss of Mr. Michael Kenechukwu Ekemezie, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice through all lawful and diplomatic means, for him, for his family, and for all those whose lives have been marked by violence and silence.

Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done.

Signed:

Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. ( KSC)
May 30th, 2025.