Abuja Magistrate Orders Kuje Prison Detention Amid #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Uproar
In a dramatic escalation of tensions in Nigeria’s capital, a Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Aloy Ejimakor, lead counsel for Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, his brother Emmanuel Kanu, and 10 others at Kuje Correctional Centre. The group faces charges of criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a court order, and inciting public disturbance following their participation in Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. This development has sparked outrage across the Niger Delta and beyond, raising questions about freedom of assembly and the handling of Kanu’s contentious detention.
A Protest That Shook Abuja
The protest, spearheaded by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, saw demonstrators gather near Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Maitama, Abuja, demanding the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu. The IPOB leader, detained since 2021 after his arrest in Kenya, faces terrorism charges tied to his campaign for a sovereign Biafra state encompassing Nigeria’s South-east and parts of the South-south. Monday’s demonstration, which began at 7 a.m., aimed to amplify calls for Kanu’s freedom but quickly met fierce resistance from security forces.
Police fired teargas to disperse protesters, who regrouped in areas like Utako, Jabi, Apo, and Gudu, disrupting local businesses. The clampdown culminated in the arrest of Ejimakor, Emmanuel Kanu, and others, who were charged with breaching public peace and violating a court order barring protests in sensitive areas like Shehu Shagari Way. Protesters, however, insist they were unaware of the court’s restrictions, claiming they were never served the order.
Courtroom Drama and Allegations of Bias
During Tuesday’s arraignment, Magistrate A.S. Usman ordered the defendants’ detention at Kuje prison until Friday, dismissing their submissions. Ejimakor, in a post on X, decried the decision, alleging the police deliberately chose the Kuje court over others in Abuja to secure a favorable ruling. “The magistrate refused to listen,” Ejimakor wrote, highlighting the growing perception of judicial overreach in Kanu’s case.
The charges, detailed in a First Information Report shared by Sowore, accuse the group of chanting “war songs” and disrupting traffic while demanding Kanu’s release, actions the police claim threatened national security. Among the remanded are Joshua Emmanuel, Bishop Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom, Clinton Chimenze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, and Godwill Obiama.
A Battle for Bail and Public Support
Sowore revealed that lawyers filed a bail application for Ejimakor and Emmanuel Kanu at the Federal High Court, but police reportedly refused to accept service. The protest, initially planned as a nationwide movement, gained traction primarily in Abuja, underscoring the Niger Delta’s deep investment in Kanu’s cause. The region, long plagued by economic marginalization, sees Kanu’s agitation as a cry for justice, making his detention a flashpoint for unrest.
Kanu’s Detention: A National Flashpoint
Nnamdi Kanu’s legal saga, dating back to 2015, has polarized Nigeria. The government accuses him of inciting violence to actualize Biafra’s independence, while supporters argue his detention is a politically motivated effort to silence dissent. The Federal High Court’s approval of the protest, with restrictions on key government areas, has done little to quell accusations of state overreach, especially as police actions appear to contradict the court’s ruling.
Why This Matters to the Niger Delta
For the Niger Delta, Kanu’s case resonates beyond politics—it’s a symbol of the region’s struggle for self-determination and equity. The heavy-handed response to the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest has only deepened distrust in federal authorities, with many in the South-south questioning the government’s commitment to democratic freedoms. As the nation awaits Friday’s court session, the spotlight remains on Abuja, where the fight for Kanu’s release continues to ignite passions.
Stay tuned to Niger Delta Herald for updates on this developing story. Follow us on X for real-time coverage and share your thoughts on this controversial crackdown.
