Tinubu’s Aide Urges NBA, LPDC to Sanction Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Aloy Ejimakor for Joining Protest

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has called on Nigeria’s legal regulatory bodies to sanction Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lawyers representing detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, for participating in the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja.

Onanuga made the statement in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, criticising Ejimakor for joining the demonstration organised by human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.

“I spotted Aloy Ejimakor, one of Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers, among the small group of protesters mobilised in Abuja by Omoyele Sowore,” Onanuga wrote.

He argued that Ejimakor’s involvement in the protest undermines legal ethics, noting that Kanu’s case is still before a competent court. “I wonder what Mr. Ejimakor was thinking when he decided to join this shambolic protest. As a lawyer, he should be aware of the principle of sub judice, particularly in relation to the ongoing treason case before the court,” Onanuga said.

The presidential aide emphasised that the prosecution had concluded its case, and it was now the responsibility of Kanu’s legal team to focus on preparing a strong defence rather than participating in public demonstrations.

“Rather than focusing on preparing a strong case, Mr. Ejimakor has resorted to extra-legal tactics, joining a career anarchist to influence the process. Ejimakor’s action questions his adherence to professional ethics,” he added.

Onanuga urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to review Ejimakor’s conduct and consider appropriate sanctions for what he described as “unethical behaviour.”