The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, has called for legal sanctions against Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lawyers representing the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Onanuga criticized Ejimakor’s participation in Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja, describing the move as “unethical conduct.”
In a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, Onanuga expressed surprise at seeing Ejimakor among protesters led by Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).
“I spotted Aloy Ejimakor, one of Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers, among the small group of protesters mobilised in Abuja by Omoyele Sowore,” Onanuga wrote. “I wonder what Mr. Ejimakor was thinking when he decided to join this shambolic protest.”
Sub Judice Concerns Amid Ongoing Trial
Onanuga, a prominent government spokesperson, argued that Ejimakor’s participation in the protest was a breach of professional ethics, particularly with the ongoing treason trial of Nnamdi Kanu before the Federal High Court. He stressed that as a legal practitioner, Ejimakor should have been mindful of the principle of sub judice, which prohibits public commentary on matters currently before the court.
“The prosecution has concluded its case, and it is now incumbent upon Mr. Ejimakor and the other lawyers to mount a strong defense for Kanu,” Onanuga said. “Rather than focusing on legal strategy, the lawyer has resorted to extra-legal tactics by joining a career anarchist to influence the process.”
Shambolic Protest and Ethical Questions Raised
The protest, organized by Sowore’s group, disrupted traffic across key parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as demonstrators called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. The IPOB leader’s trial for alleged treasonable felony continues at the Federal High Court in Abuja, but Onanuga has questioned Ejimakor’s role in the protest, labeling it as “shambolic.”
Onanuga’s post also raised concerns about the lawyer’s adherence to professional ethics. “Aloy Ejimakor’s actions raise serious questions about his commitment to the legal profession,” he said, urging relevant legal bodies to “consider appropriate sanctions for the unethical conduct of the bearded lawyer.”
Protests Intensify Amid Legal Uncertainty
The #FreeNnamdiKanu protest has garnered attention from various pro-Biafra groups and their supporters, who continue to demand the release of the IPOB leader.
