Legal Consultant: Nnamdi Kanu Refuses Lawyers, Following Awolowo’s Example

Aloy Ejimakor, legal consultant to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, has compared him to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo over his decision to represent himself in court.

Ejimakor told our correspondent on Sunday that Kanu’s refusal to hire lawyers might be delaying the filing of his appeal against his life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He said:
“MNK has not filed his appeal yet because he has refused to hire lawyers. You know he disengaged us as his lawyers, so we now act in the capacity of a consultant. Many great men are like that—they believe no one can present their case like they can themselves. Even Awolowo refused lawyers in his time. MNK wants to represent himself.”

Ejimakor also supported Kanu’s motion to be transferred to a correctional facility closer to Abuja, such as Suleja or Keffi, citing logistical difficulties in preparing his appeal while detained over 700 kilometres away in Sokoto.

During his trial, Kanu disengaged his legal team, including former Attorney General Kanu Agabi (SAN), and chose to represent himself. On November 20, the Federal High Court found him guilty on all seven terrorism-related charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

In a motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu cited eight grounds for requesting transfer closer to Abuja, arguing that it would enable him to exercise his constitutional right to appeal effectively, as all key associates, relatives, and consultants are based in the capital.