#FreeNnamdiKanuNow: Nigerian Police Accused of Bypassing Abuja City Courts to Remand Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Others in Kuje

Aloy Ejimakor, lead counsel to detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, has accused the Nigerian police of deliberately avoiding several magistrate courts in Abuja city to have him and other peaceful protesters remanded at the Kuje Magistrate Court, located on the outskirts of the capital.

Ejimakor disclosed this on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, hours after his arraignment alongside Kanu’s brother, Fineboy Kanu, and eleven others who were arrested during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja. He confirmed that he was safe and in good condition despite being held at the Kuje prison.

“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: keep in mind that they bypassed several Magistrate courts in town and headed to this one in Kuje,” Ejimakor wrote.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, also alleged that the police were determined to have the protesters remanded in Kuje “at all costs,” accusing the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of issuing an illegal order.

The group was earlier detained at the SARS Abattoir facility in Abuja before being taken to court. Reports indicate that at least 13 protesters were arrested during the demonstration, which was organized to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu has remained in detention despite multiple court rulings ordering his release. The Kuje Magistrate Court subsequently remanded both Ejimakor and Kanu’s brother pending further proceedings.