The aftermath of Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Nigeria’s capital took a dramatic turn as a Kuje Magistrate Court ordered the remand of human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, Emmanuel Kanu — the brother of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu — and ten others at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further hearing.
The mass arrests followed a large protest demanding the release of the detained pro-Biafra leader, which saw hundreds of demonstrators converge on central Abuja before being dispersed by police using tear gas and roadblocks. Authorities accused the protesters of inciting public unrest and breaching a standing court order that prohibits demonstrations around key government institutions.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Ejimakor and the others faced charges of public disturbance, unlawful assembly, and obstruction of movement.
Magistrate Yusuf Mamman denied bail applications filed by the defence, citing potential risks to public order and ongoing investigations. The case was adjourned to Friday, October 25, for continuation.
According to the police report tendered in court, the accused “blocked major roads, chanted secessionist songs, and disrupted free movement of citizens” during the protest, which officials said caused significant traffic gridlock around the Three Arms Zone.
Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara condemned the arrests, describing them as “an attack on democratic rights and freedom of expression.” Civil society groups, including the Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), also called for the unconditional release of those detained, urging the government to respect constitutional rights to peaceful protest.
“The use of excessive force to silence dissent only deepens mistrust between citizens and the state,” one activist told The Guardian
The arrests mark another chapter in the long-running saga surrounding Nnamdi Kanu, whose detention since 2021 continues to fuel agitation across southeastern Nigeria. Analysts say the court’s decision to detain his lawyer and brother could escalate tensions and raise new questions about the boundaries of lawful protest in Nigeria’s democratic space.
As the nation awaits Friday’s ruling, the case underscores a deeper national dilemma — between state security and civil liberties, and how Nigeria balances both in a time of heightened political sensitivity.
