In Abuja’s charged protest scene this week, the spotlight shifted away from the streets onto the legal profession. Bayo Onanuga, the Specia...
In Abuja’s charged protest scene this week, the spotlight shifted away from the streets onto the legal profession. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has publicly called for sanctions against Aloy Ejimakor — one of the lawyers representing Nnamdi Kanu — after spotting him among demonstrators led by activist Omoyele Sowore. The move has stirred memories of last year’s legal protests, where lawyers picketed outside courtrooms to demand justice and rocked public perception of the profession.
This week in Abuja, what should have been a legal drama inside the courtroom spilled out into the streets — and the legal profession is now under the microscope. Bayo Onanuga, presidential media aide, has demanded disciplinary action against Aloy Ejimakor, a counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, accusing him of joining a protest organised by Omoyele Sowore to demand Kanu’s release.
Onanuga’s post on X was cutting: he described Ejimakor’s participation as “shambolic” and “extra-legal,” arguing that a lawyer whose client is undergoing trial should prioritise defence strategy instead of hitting the street with placards. He referenced the principle of sub judice — noting that the prosecution in Kanu’s treasonable-felony case has already closed its case and the defence should now focus on the court room, not street politics.
Legal authorities, Onanuga said, should step in and sanction Ejimakor for what he calls a breach of professional ethics. “Instead of preparing your case, you’re with a career anarchist influencing the process,” Onanuga posted.
But Ejimakor has his defenders. Commentators say no law explicitly prohibits a lawyer from joining a peaceful demonstration — and cite past instances where lawyers marched in solidarity for clients or causes. One senior lawyer pointed out that in the #EndSARS movement, many legal practitioners stood side by side with activists, blending legal advocacy with protest.
The backdrop: Nnamdi Kanu, detained since his 2021 re-arrest, is facing serious charges for alleged secessionist activities. The protest, branded #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, saw supporters block key areas in Abuja and urge his immediate release. Ejimakor was reportedly arrested by the police alongside other protesters, the same day Onanuga fired his salvo.
This clash is more than about one lawyer and one aide. It raises deeper questions: What is the role of lawyers in public protests? When is street activism incompatible with court-room duties? And how will the legal regulatory bodies respond when one of their own is publicly indicted for “unethical conduct”?
For Nigeria’s legal community, the definition of professional conduct is under debate. A lawyer aiming to defend a client vigorously might still choose to raise awareness by joining public demonstrations. But when the client’s case is ongoing before the court, critics argue, the line between advocacy and interference becomes thin.
Conclusion
The demand by Bayo Onanuga for sanctions on Aloy Ejimakor over his activism at the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest has thrown the legal profession into the spotlight—and left many wondering what boundaries lawyers must observe. As the regulatory bodies mull their next move, Nigeria’s public watches closely: this case could set a precedent for how lawyers engage with public protests and their clients’ legal battles in the courtroom.