Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has urged legal authorities to sanction Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lawyers representing detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, for what he described as a breach of professional ethics.

Ejimakor had joined protesters in Abuja on Monday, demanding the release of Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in 2021.

In a post on X, Onanuga said he saw Ejimakor among a “small group of protesters” mobilised by activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.

> “I wonder what Mr. Ejimakor was thinking when he decided to join this shambolic protest,” Onanuga wrote.
“As a lawyer, he should be aware of the principle of sub judice, particularly in relation to the ongoing treason case before the court.”

He noted that while the prosecution has already concluded its case, it was now the responsibility of Kanu’s lawyers — including Ejimakor — to focus on presenting a strong defence, rather than resorting to what he termed “extra-legal tactics.”

> “Rather than focusing on preparing a strong case, Mr. Ejimakor has resorted to extra-legal tactics, joining a career anarchist, to influence the process,” Onanuga said.
“Ejimakor’s action questions his adherence to professional ethics. Legal authorities should consider appropriate sanctions for the unethical conduct of the bearded lawyer.”

The presidential aide’s comments follow heightened calls for Kanu’s release and growing public attention on the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement, which has seen several activists and sympathisers take to the streets.

Meanwhile, Ejimakor said he had been arrested alongside other protesters and taken to the FCT police command at No. 1 Zaria Street, Garki 2, Abuja, before being released later in the day.

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), which oversees professional conduct among lawyers, may be expected to review Onanuga’s complaint if formally lodged.

Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), remains in detention on charges bordering on treasonable felony.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday arrested two journalists working with Agence France-Presse (AFP) while they were covering the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The journalists were identified as Nick Roll, an American correspondent, and John Okunyomih, a Nigerian videographer.

According to TheCable, the duo were stationed at the entrance of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama, documenting scenes as police fired teargas to disperse protesters demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Eyewitnesses said the officers aggressively confronted the journalists, damaging their equipment in the process. Their mobile phones were also seized, and their teargas protection gear forcefully removed.

Roll was later released at the scene, while Okunyomih was reportedly taken to the FCT Command Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where he was detained for several hours before being freed.

During the same protest, police also arrested Aloy Ejimakor, one of Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers, who had been participating in the peaceful demonstration.

Earlier in the day, security operatives fired teargas canisters at commuters and activists gathered in parts of Abuja’s Central Business District, as the protest commenced. Some of the commuters were said to have been caught in the chaos while waiting for vehicles to take them to work.

The protest — spearheaded by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate — seeks the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in June 2021.

Kanu faces multiple charges before the Federal High Court, Abuja, including treasonable felony and terrorism-related offences, following his long-running agitation for an independent Biafra state.

As of press time, neither the FCT Police Command nor the AFP bureau in Abuja had issued an official statement regarding the arrests or damage to equipment.

The incident has sparked widespread criticism from journalists’ associations and human rights advocates, who described the arrests as another attempt to stifle press freedom and civic expression in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCOS) has declared all custodial centres across the country as “red zones” in response to the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, warning that it will not tolerate any form of attack on its facilities.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Abubakar Umar, the NCOS spokesperson, as pro-Biafra agitators took to the streets in parts of Abuja and other cities to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Umar stated that the service had placed all its facilities on maximum alert and strengthened surveillance mechanisms nationwide to prevent security breaches. He cautioned individuals or groups against any attempt to disrupt the peace around correctional centres, adding that officers had been instructed to respond decisively to threats.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) wishes to inform the general public that all Custodial Centres in Nigeria remain red zones and should not be visited by mischief makers under any guise,” the statement read in part.

It further noted that “any unauthorized gathering, protest, or attempt to breach the security of any of our facilities will be met with appropriate force in accordance with extant laws.”

The NCOS said that while it respects citizens’ rights to peaceful protest, it would not compromise on the safety and integrity of custodial centres, which it described as critical national security assets.

“The Service remains committed to ensuring the safety of inmates, staff, and host communities. Our facilities are fortified and security agencies are working in synergy to forestall any form of attack or breakdown of law and order,” Umar added.

He urged Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies and avoid being misled by groups or individuals with intentions that could undermine national peace and security.

The warning came as tension rose in Abuja on Monday morning following reports that police fired teargas at commuters and protesters gathering at designated points for the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration.

The protest, initiated by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate, called for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021 on terrorism-related charges.

Security operatives had earlier blocked major roads in the Central Business District, resulting in traffic congestion, while several arrests were reported by eyewitnesses and civil rights activists.

As of press time, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the reported arrests or use of teargas, but normalcy was gradually returning to some parts of the city.

The situation, however, has heightened concerns over the government’s handling of pro-Biafra activism and its implications for national stability, particularly in the South-East region where Kanu commands a strong following.