Nigeria Police File Charges Against Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Brother, 10 Over Alleged Disobedience of Court Order
The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, alongside Prince Emmanuel Kanu (Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother) and ten other individuals, following their participation in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in Abuja on Monday.
According to court filings, which were made public by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the defendants are facing charges bordering on incitement, disturbance of public peace, and disobedience to a subsisting court order.
The charge sheet alleges that the accused persons obstructed the free movement of citizens within the Federal Capital Territory by disrupting traffic flow, chanting provocative songs, and demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, whose trial for treasonable felony is ongoing before the Federal High Court.
Confirming the development, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today that Mr. Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and others arrested during the protest would be arraigned without delay.
Hundeyin explained that the arrests were effected after the protesters attempted to access restricted areas within Abuja. He disclosed that eight individuals were initially taken into custody around the Transcorp axis, before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for interrogation.
In his words: “We arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and his lawyer because they insisted on gaining access to restricted areas. Alongside them, six others were also arrested around Transcorp for the same reason. They are currently at the State CID, and once investigations are concluded, they will be prosecuted in line with the law.”
The police spokesperson reiterated that the arrests were consistent with the Force’s earlier warning that any breach of the court’s order would attract investigation and prosecution.
