Police Arraign Kanu’s Lawyer, Brother, 10 Others Over Protest
Police Arraign Kanu’s Lawyer, Brother, 10 Others Over Protest
Police Arraign Kanu’s Lawyer, Brother, 10 Others Over Protest
The Nigerian Police have formally arraigned Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, his younger brother, and ten others before a magistrate court over their alleged involvement in a recent pro-Biafra protest that took place in parts of the South-East. The protest, which was organized in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), reportedly turned violent, leading to arrests, injuries, and heightened security tension across the region.
According to official reports, the defendants including Kanu’s legal counsel, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother, Emmanuel Kanu were brought before the court under heavy security on charges bordering on unlawful assembly, incitement, and conduct likely to cause public disturbance. The police claimed that the accused persons violated sections of the Criminal Code by participating in what they described as an “unauthorized gathering aimed at undermining public peace.”
The prosecution counsel, during the court session, alleged that the protest, which took place last week, disrupted commercial activities in major towns across Abia and Imo States. The demonstrators had reportedly demanded the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) despite several court rulings ordering his release.
However, defense lawyers countered the police narrative, insisting that the gathering was a peaceful demonstration within the constitutional rights of the accused. Mr. Ejimakor, before his arraignment, had maintained that the protest was “a non-violent expression of civic discontent” and accused the government of using intimidation to silence voices calling for justice and due process in Kanu’s trial.
Family sources expressed outrage over the arrests, calling it a deliberate act of persecution. “This is not just an attack on Nnamdi Kanu’s supporters but an assault on the fundamental right to free speech,” Emmanuel Kanu said shortly before his court appearance.
Tension has since continued to rise in parts of the South-East following the development, with human rights groups warning against the criminalization of peaceful protests. Amnesty International and other civic organizations have urged the Nigerian government to uphold the rule of law and ensure that citizens are not punished for exercising their constitutional freedoms.
Meanwhile, the magistrate court has granted conditional bail to the accused persons, with each required to provide a substantial bond. The case has been adjourned until November 7, 2025, for further hearing.
Observers say the latest development may deepen the already strained relationship between IPOB supporters and the Nigerian security forces. Political analysts believe the move could either reignite larger demonstrations or pressure the government to reopen dialogue on the IPOB issue, which has long polarized opinions within Nigeria’s political landscape.
The ongoing detention of Nnamdi Kanu remains a focal point of controversy, with many calling on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address the matter politically rather than through continuous crackdowns. As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes remain on the judiciary to ensure justice is served transparently and without bias.
