There was anxiety on Saturday following reports that Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lawyers representing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, collapsed while in detention at Kuje Prison.

Ejimakor was among those arrested during the Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday. The protesters were later arraigned before a magistrate court and subsequently remanded in prison custody.

Although they were granted bail, it was alleged that the presiding Magistrate, Abubakar Umar Sai’id, refused to sign the bail bond, preventing their release.

It has now emerged that Ejimakor reportedly slumped at the Kuje Correctional Centre and was rushed to the Kuje Medical Centre, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Confirming the incident, another of Kanu’s lawyers, Barrister Maxwell Opara, said he visited Ejimakor at the medical facility.

“Yes, I went to see him and he was admitted at the Kuje Medical Centre where they are treating him. I left there a few hours ago,” Opara said.

“The thing happened before I arrived. We got there around 12, and I started hearing the news. As one of his lawyers and colleagues, I insisted on seeing him. They took me to see him. I also saw Sowore and others before that.”

Ejimakor, a prominent member of Kanu’s legal team, has been actively involved in defending the detained IPOB leader in his ongoing legal battles with the Federal Government.

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The FCT Minister says he cannot testify in Kanu’s trial based on media reports alone.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he will only appear as a witness in the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, if he is formally summoned by the court.

Wike made this clarification during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, stressing that his name appearing in the newspapers does not automatically make him a witness in the ongoing case.

“You don’t become a witness by reading the newspaper. Nobody has served me any process; nobody has subpoenaed me,” Wike said.
“So, because I saw Wike listed, I will not begin to run helter-skelter. No, you don’t do that. If I am served, if I am subpoenaed to come and give a witness or give evidence, I must obey the court; I must appear.”

When asked why Kanu listed him as one of his witnesses, the Minister said he had no idea.
“If you see Nnamdi Kanu, you ask him, ‘Why did you list me? I did not go and say I want to be a witness,’” he said.

Wike also declined to comment on whether Kanu’s continued detention should be resolved through a political settlement.

Kanu, who is currently facing terrorism charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja, has reportedly listed several top figures as “compellable witnesses” in his defence.

Among those named are a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma; Minister of Works Dave Umahi; and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021.

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The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday informed the Federal High Court that he would be representing himself in his ongoing trial after his legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), withdrew from the case.

Agabi, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, told the court that the entire defence team was stepping down, explaining that the defendant had decided to personally take over the conduct of his case.

“All counsel in the defence have agreed to withdraw as the defendant has chosen to represent himself,” Agabi announced before the presiding judge.

Confirming the development in open court, Kanu stated that he had opted to handle his own defence “for now,” though he might reconsider that decision at a later stage. When asked by the judge whether he wanted the court to assign him another lawyer, Kanu declined, insisting he would proceed on his own terms.

In his brief oral argument, the IPOB leader maintained that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him, reiterating his long-standing position on the matter.

Meanwhile, confirming Kanu’s presence in court, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore shared an update on his X (formerly Twitter) account, saying he met with the separatist leader in person.

Sowore wrote:

“Finally, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and I met at the Federal High Court today. The man is powerful and unrelenting. We greeted and hugged and the bond is strong!”

Thursday’s proceedings mark another dramatic twist in the long-running legal battle between the Nigerian government and Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody facing charges related to treasonable felony and separatist activities.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adopted a medical report by a panel set up by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which found that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not suffering from any life-threatening ailment.

The NMA panel, constituted by the association’s president on the order of Justice James Omotosho, was tasked with determining Kanu’s actual health condition following conflicting claims from medical experts representing both the prosecution and the defence.

According to the report submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and partly read in open court on Thursday, the panel concluded that Kanu’s condition is not life-threatening and that he is fit to stand trial.

Justice Omotosho, citing the report and noting no objections from either side, ruled that the trial would proceed.

The judge subsequently granted the defence six consecutive days — from October 23 to October 28 — to open and close its case.

Additionally, the court approved an oral application by defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), requesting that Kanu’s legal team be allowed to hold private consultations with him outside the Department of State Services (DSS) facility to ensure confidentiality.

Justice Omotosho ruled that the private meeting will take place in the courtroom between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on October 22, with only Kanu and his lawyers present.

The court further ordered that Kanu should continue receiving medical care at the DSS medical facility pending further proceedings.

One of Kanu’s lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the development after Thursday’s sitting.

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WHY NNAMDI KANU HAS BEEN ABANDONED BY IGBO GOVERNORS AND LEADERS – OHANAEZE NDIGBO

The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, finds it imperative to communicate a profoundly distressing reality to the public regarding the abandonment of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The negligence exhibited by the Southeast Governors, Igbo Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, the Southeast Traditional Rulers Forum, and the College of Bishops is not merely a matter of oversight but a glaring betrayal of their responsibilities to the Igbo people.

In stark contrast to the proactive measures undertaken by political leaders in other regions, particularly in northern Nigeria, where governors have openly engaged in dialogue with individuals linked to abhorrent acts of violence, the leaders of the Southeast have retreated into a conspiratorial silence. Northern governors have shown an alarming readiness to negotiate with bandits who have perpetrated grave injustices against innocent civilians, while our Southeast leaders are conspicuously absent from any meaningful engagement concerning the plight of our own. In the Southwest, we have witnessed a commendable consolidation of leadership aimed at addressing pressing security challenges, including the formation of robust security outfits that have fostered a sense of safety. The leadership of that region rallied effectively to advocate for the release of Yoruba activist Mr.Sunday Igboho, showcasing a united front in their pursuit of justice. Regrettably, such concerted efforts are sorely lacking among our own leaders regarding Nnamdi Kanu, who has languished in detention since 2021 without just cause.

The stark reality is that the primary beneficiaries of Nnamdi Kanu’s continued incarceration are the Igbo political elites who have engaged in a despicable game of evasion. These leaders, while professing concern and solidarity, have opted instead to cultivate a muddied culture of deceit that aims to placate public sentiment without championing any genuine resolution. They exploit the situation surrounding Nnamdi Kanu as a facade to win favor and bolster their popularity among the populace, offering nothing of substance in return.

Critical questions remain unaddressed: Why do Igbo politicians prioritize visits to Nnamdi Kanu in detention rather than making earnest attempts to engage with President Tinubu to advocate for his release? Why do religious leaders and traditional rulers prefer photo opportunities inside FCT courtroom settings rather than exerting their influence behind closed doors for substantive negotiations? Why do our stakeholders favor a public media trial over a discreet pursuit of justice through legitimate legal channels?

Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally rebukes the hollow proclamations put forth by certain Igbo leaders, who loudly clamour for Kanu’s release without any accompanying commitment to action. It is essential to convey the uncomfortable truth: the only impediment to Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom is the absence of sincere assurances from Igbo leaders to President Tinubu that Nnamdi Kanu would conduct himself with integrity post-release. Tragically, no governor, senator, or influential leader among us is prepared to take the necessary risks that would facilitate his release.

In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo reassures Ndigbo that we remain steadfast in our belief that President Tinubu will facilitate Nnamdi Kanu’s release before the close of 2025. We owe it to our collective conscience to confront this issue with the seriousness it demands, and we call upon our leaders to align their actions with the aspirations and needs of the Igbo people.

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro

Deputy President General  

Ohanaeze Ndigbo  

**Chief Chinenyeze Ohia**  

National Spokesman  

Ohanaeze Ndigbo