By Obinna Uballa
A Magistrate’s Court in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has ordered the remand of Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor; his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu; and 10 others in Kuje Correctional Centre.
The group was arraigned on charges of inciting public disturbance and breaching the peace during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in Abuja on Monday.
The protest, led by former presidential candidate and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, demanded the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is facing terrorism charges.
Security operatives reportedly dispersed the demonstrators and arrested several participants during the rally.
Confirming the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Kanunta Kanu, another brother of the IPOB leader, alleged a grand conspiracy between the executive, legislature, and judiciary to frustrate his brother’s scheduled court appearance.
“The magistrate sitting in Kuje remanded Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case, and Prince Emmanuel Kanu, his youngest brother. This is a conspiracy from the executive, legislature, and judiciary to frustrate Kanu’s trial on Thursday,” he wrote.
Reacting to the detention, Sowore accused the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of orchestrating what he described as an unlawful move to jail peaceful protesters.
“I just learned that illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun has sent Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and 11 others all the way to Kuje Magistrate Court to get them remanded in prison at all costs,” Sowore wrote on Facebook.
In a separate social media post from detention, Ejimakor confirmed they were being held at Kuje Prison, saying the court ignored all submissions for their release.
“I am safe and sound but still under custody at Kuje Prison. The magistrate refused to listen to our submissions. He insisted on remanding us till Friday and got his way. For context: they bypassed several magistrate courts in town and headed to this one in Kuje,” he stated.
The detainees are expected to reappear in court on Friday.
