Presidency seeks sanction for Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer over protest involvement

A controversy has erupted after a lawyer for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, participated in a public protest demanding his client’s release.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has called for legal sanctions against Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, one of Kanu’s lawyers, for what he termed “unethical conduct.” Onanuga’s criticism came after he spotted Ejimakor among a group of protesters in Abuja on Monday, a demonstration organized by Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters.

In a post on his verified X handle, Onanuga expressed surprise at the lawyer’s actions.

He argued that as a legal practitioner, Ejimakor should be mindful of the sub judice principle, given that Kanu’s treason trial is still active before the court.

Onanuga contended that the lawyer’s focus should be on the legal defense, not public demonstrations.

“The prosecution has concluded its case, and it is now incumbent upon Mr. Ejimakor and the other lawyers to mount a strong defence for Kanu,” he stated.

He accused Ejimakor of resorting to “extra-legal tactics” by aligning with a “career anarchist to influence the process.”

Describing the protest as “shambolic,” Onanuga asserted that the lawyer’s participation “questions his adherence to professional ethics.”

He urged the relevant legal bodies to “consider appropriate sanctions for the unethical conduct of the bearded lawyer.”

The #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, led by Sowore, disrupted movement in several parts of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday.

The demonstrators were demanding the release of the IPOB leader, whose trial for alleged treasonable felony is ongoing at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Ejimakor’s involvement in the protest has now sparked a significant debate about the boundaries of legal advocacy.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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