The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a stern warning to Aloy Ejimakor, a member of the legal team representing Nnamdi Kanu, the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), cautioning him against unprofessional behavior that could lead to disbarment.
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, specifically admonished Ejimakor against spreading misinformation about court proceedings on social media.
The warning came in response to a protest letter dated May 14 from the lead prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
Awomolo expressed concern over live-streaming and the recording of the trial, calling it “embarrassing.” He accused Ejimakor of making misleading social media posts and urged the court to restrict mobile phone usage by requiring all attendees to surrender their devices before entering the courtroom.
Defence lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), acknowledged the complaint and offered an apology on behalf of the team.
He also apologized directly to the court.
Justice Omotosho reiterated his commitment to a speedy and fair trial, noting that delays in similar cases were often due to tactics employed by legal teams for personal gain.
He recalled presiding over the 2024 trial of 50 IPOB members, which concluded with their acquittal after an expedited hearing.
“The noise outside should not distract us from the reason we are here,” the judge stated, urging all lawyers involved to maintain professionalism.
The court then resumed cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative identified only as Mr. BBB.
Led by defence counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN), the session focused on DSS intelligence methods and Kanu’s alleged actions.
When asked whether Radio Biafra was still operational, the witness said he did not know and did not listen to it.
He stated that his information came from the DSS department responsible for monitoring broadcasts.
Under questioning, BBB confirmed that Kanu had claimed he was abducted in Kenya, though he emphasized that verifying the claim was outside his responsibilities.
He also denied knowledge of DSS involvement in any foreign operation, stating that the agency operates solely within Nigeria.
BBB maintained that Kanu incited violence through Radio Biafra broadcasts, especially during the #EndSARS protests.
He alleged that Kanu’s rhetoric was linked to the destruction of public infrastructure, including a police station in Ebonyi, a Lagos High Court, and parts of the Murtala Muhammed Airport.
He further claimed that IPOB’s armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, was responsible for several killings, including those of an army couple and a retired judge.
Erokoro submitted certified true copies of three judgments from earlier fundamental rights lawsuits in Kanu’s favor.
Among them was a 2022 judgment from the Abia State High Court awarding Kanu N1 billion in damages over the military’s 2017 raid on his home.
The court admitted the documents as evidence.
Following this, Erokoro requested an adjournment to allow the defence time to prepare a video clip for presentation.
Justice Omotosho granted the request and adjourned the trial until Thursday, May 22, for continued cross-examination of the prosecution’s witness.