Protest

Nigeria :Tension in Abuja as Police Arraigned Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Brother, and 11 Others at Kuje

Helen Okoro 4 months ago 3 min read

By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro

Tension gripped the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday as the Nigerian Police arraigned Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel to detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, alongside his brother, Mr. Chibuikem Ejimakor, and eleven others before the Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja. The defendants faced multiple charges bordering on unlawful assembly, incitement, and alleged conspiracy to disturb public peace.

The arraignment, which drew heavy security presence and a large crowd of supporters, comes amid renewed calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whose continued detention has sparked protests across parts of the South-East and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the charge sheet presented by the police prosecutor, ASP Ibrahim Musa, the accused persons were arrested last weekend near the Kuje Correctional Centre, where they had reportedly gathered to demand better prison conditions for Nnamdi Kanu and press for his release. Musa alleged that the gathering “was not only unauthorized but had the potential to incite public disorder and obstruct law enforcement officers on duty.”

He further claimed that despite repeated warnings, the group refused to disperse and chanted “provocative and secessionist slogans” while confronting police officers. “Their conduct was intended to cause fear, panic, and possible violence within the area,” Musa told the court.

However, in a dramatic turn, Mr. Ejimakor, who represented himself, denied all charges, describing the case as “a deliberate act of intimidation against those advocating for justice and the rule of law.” He told the court that he and others were at the scene for a peaceful rally calling for respect for human rights and due process in the handling of Kanu’s case.

“This is a political prosecution dressed as a criminal charge,” Ejimakor said calmly, addressing the court. “Our only offense is that we spoke up against injustice and demanded adherence to constitutional principles. We did not assemble violently; we gathered peacefully, exercising our fundamental right to freedom of expression.”

Several prominent human rights lawyers, including Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, were present in solidarity with Ejimakor, condemning what they described as a systematic attempt to silence voices calling for Kanu’s release.

The defense team filed for immediate bail, arguing that all defendants are respected professionals and family men with permanent addresses and no prior criminal records. “They pose no flight risk,” Ejiofor told the magistrate. “Detaining them would only heighten political tension and public mistrust.”

In response, the prosecutor opposed the bail application, claiming that the defendants could interfere with ongoing investigations if released. “We have intelligence suggesting that more such gatherings are being planned,” Musa stated. “Granting bail now would jeopardize public safety.”

After heated arguments that lasted nearly three hours, Magistrate Halima Danladi adjourned the case until next Monday for ruling on the bail application. She ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of the motion.

The news of Ejimakor’s arraignment quickly spread across social media, sparking outrage among IPOB supporters and civil rights groups. The Indigenous People of Biafra, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, condemned the arrest, calling it “a direct assault on the legal defense team of our leader.” The group warned that continued harassment of lawyers and family members of Kanu could “further inflame already tense relations between the government and the people of the South-East.”

Outside the court, a handful of Kanu’s supporters who had gathered to show solidarity chanted “Free Kanu now!” and carried placards demanding justice. Police dispersed the crowd after issuing warnings, but the atmosphere remained charged.

As Nigeria’s political climate grows increasingly polarized, the arraignment of Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer adds another layer of complexity to a case that has already tested the country’s commitment to civil liberties and fair trial standards. Whether the court grants bail or not, Tuesday’s events underscore how deeply the struggle over Kanu’s fate continues to shape Nigeria’s national conversation.