Authorities in the Federal Capital Territory have confirmed plans to arraign several individuals, including the legal representative and brother of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, following a protest in Abuja demanding his release.
The suspects, arrested on Monday during a demonstration tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, include Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, popularly known as Fineboy.
They were apprehended alongside several other supporters near the entrance of the National Assembly complex.
The protest, described by organisers as peaceful, was met with a heavy security presence.
Police operatives reportedly disrupted the procession, citing security concerns and a standing court order prohibiting protests around critical government installations.
In a statement issued late Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed the arrests and announced that the individuals would be charged in court. While the specific charges have not been publicly disclosed, sources suggest they may include violations of public order and breach of restricted zones.
Legal and Political Ramifications
The arrest of Ejimakor, who is actively involved in Kanu’s ongoing legal battle with the federal government, has sparked sharp criticism from human rights advocates and legal commentators.
Critics argue that his detention raises constitutional questions regarding the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. Supporters of the movement have described the action as an attempt to intimidate those advocating for Kanu’s release.
Ejimakor’s involvement in the protest was reportedly in his capacity as both a private citizen and a public advocate for Kanu.
Observers note that he has consistently maintained that Kanu’s continued detention violates previous court rulings, including decisions by Nigerian courts that have ruled in favour of his release.
Continued Detention Sparks Unrest
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in detention since June 2021 after being extradited from Kenya under controversial circumstances.
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Despite several court rulings ordering his release, the Nigerian government has refused to free him, citing national security concerns and ongoing legal proceedings.
The Abuja protest was one of a series of renewed campaigns aimed at pressuring the federal government to comply with those rulings. Organisers insist that their demonstrations are peaceful and rooted in lawful civil advocacy.
As of Tuesday morning, the detained protesters remained in custody at a police facility in Abuja. Legal teams representing Ejimakor and others are reportedly preparing to challenge the arrests in court and demand their immediate release.
The incident adds a new layer of tension to the already complex case surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s detention, with implications for both legal procedure and civil liberties in Nigeria.
