Abuja Magistrate Court Orders Remand of Nnamdi Kanu's Lawyer and Brother at Kuje prison
A Magistrate Court sitting in Kuje, near Abuja, has ordered the remand of Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, alongside his legal counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor.
The two were among twelve individuals arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force following a protest held in Abuja on Monday, October 21, demanding the immediate release of the IPOB leader.
According to court proceedings, the defendants were charged with incitement, unlawful assembly, and public disturbance. The police allege that the group engaged in actions capable of disrupting public peace and safety in the Federal Capital Territory.
The charge sheet presented before the court states that the accused persons disrupted vehicular movement, obstructed other citizens' right to free passage, and chanted war songs while calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. The protest reportedly took place around major government buildings and highways in Abuja, causing temporary traffic gridlock and drawing the attention of law enforcement agencies.
Eyewitnesses described the protest as peaceful, with demonstrators carrying placards and chanting solidarity slogans. However, security personnel were deployed to disperse the crowd, and several participants, including high-profile figures, were arrested.
Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, who has represented Nnamdi Kanu in several legal proceedings both within Nigeria and abroad, was apprehended at the scene, sparking immediate reactions from civil rights groups and legal associations.
In court, the defense counsel argued for bail, stating that the protest was peaceful and within the constitutional rights of the accused. They further criticized the arrest of a legal practitioner who was actively involved in representing a detainee whose case is still before the courts.
However, the prosecution countered that the protest constituted a threat to public order and national security. The presiding magistrate, siding with the prosecution, ordered that all twelve defendants be remanded in custody pending further investigation and legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The court did not announce a specific date for the next hearing, though sources suggest that the defense may soon file a formal application for bail at a higher court.
Meanwhile, the arrests and subsequent remand have triggered public debate across the country. IPOB, which has been proscribed by the federal government as a terrorist organization, continues to enjoy support in parts of the South-East, with growing calls for the federal government to respect earlier court rulings that have ordered Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
The latest development has also drawn condemnation from human rights organizations. The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has issued a preliminary statement expressing concern over the detention of a lawyer in the course of legal advocacy, noting that such actions could undermine the right to fair legal representation.
Nnamdi Kanu was re-arrested in 2021 and renditioned from Kenya under controversial circumstances. He has since remained in detention while facing charges ranging from terrorism to treasonable felony. Although some of the charges were struck out by the Court of Appeal in 2022, the federal government has continued to detain him, citing ongoing investigations and national security concerns.
As this case continues to unfold, observers are closely watching how the judiciary navigates the tensions between national security interests and the fundamental rights of citizens.
By Ibrahim B.Benita
#UTVAfrica#
