The controversy surrounding the trial of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu deepened on Monday after President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, called for disciplinary action against Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, for participating in a protest demanding his client’s release.
Ejimakor, known for his legal activism, joined a protest in Abuja demanding the release of the detained IPOB leader. The protest, reportedly led by activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, held near the Federal High Court and drew a small but vocal crowd.
But Onanuga, who serves as the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, didn’t find it funny.
“I wonder what Mr. Ejimakor was thinking when he decided to join this shambolic protest,” Onanuga wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
He accused the lawyer of ditching his legal duties for what he called “extra-legal tactics” and described the protest as an unethical move that could influence judicial proceedings.
Onanuga didn’t stop at criticism. He hinted that Ejimakor may have breached legal ethics by participating in the protest, especially while Kanu’s case is still in court.
“The prosecution has closed its case. It’s time for Ejimakor and his team to present a solid defence, not stage dramas,” he added.
He also questioned whether the lawyer’s conduct aligned with the professional standards expected of legal practitioners in Nigeria.
In a jab that caught attention, Onanuga referred to Ejimakor as the “bearded lawyer,” suggesting that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) should look into the matter.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was re-arrested in 2021 and has remained in DSS custody since then. He faces charges bordering on treasonable felony and incitement.
Kanu’s continued detention has drawn both local and international calls for his release. Protests like the one seen in Abuja on Monday are becoming more frequent, as his supporters grow impatient with the prolonged trial.
Interestingly, Aloy Ejimakor, in a swift update, confirmed that he and other demonstrators were arrested during the protest and taken to the FCT Police Command in Garki, Abuja. No official statement has yet been issued by the police on whether charges will be filed.
