Presidency Fires at Kanu’s lawyer: Shut up and go to court!

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy has taken a strong exception to the sight of Aloy Ejimakor, a lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, among protesters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Onanuga, in a post on his official X handle, expressed bewilderment at the lawyer’s decision to join what he described as a “shambolic protest” mobilised by “career anarchist,” Omoyele Sowore.

The protest was organised to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing treason and terrorism charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In his critique, Onanuga questioned Ejimakor’s professional judgement, reminding him of the sub judice principle, which restricts public discussion of ongoing court cases to avoid influencing the proceedings.

“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 wrote.

He further argued that the lawyer’s primary focus should be in the courtroom, not on the streets. “The prosecution has concluded its case, and it is now incumbent upon Mr. Ejimakor and the other lawyers to mount a strong defence for Kanu.”

Onanuga accused Ejimakor of resorting to “extra-legal tactics” by aligning with Sowore to unduly influence the judicial process, an action he stated “questions his adherence to professional ethics.”

He concluded by calling for sanctions against the lawyer, writing, “Legal authorities should consider appropriate sanctions for the unethical conduct of the bearded lawyer.”