Kanu’s Lawyer Defends Separate State Agitations, Cites Terrorism Policy, Electoral Bias

ABUJA – Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to the embattled leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has faulted critics of secession agitations, saying government actions on insecurity and politics justify calls for a separate state.

In a statement on his official X handle, Ejimakor wrote: “How can you blame those that want a separate State when: Terrorists are rehabilitated, not obliterated. Terrorist sponsors are known but not prosecuted. The opposition is literally subdued by an umpire that is supposed to be neutral. And it keeps getting worse, not better.”

Ejimakor pointed out four issues he said triggers separatist sentiment: the Federal Government’s policy of rehabilitating repentant terrorists instead of “obliterating” them; failure to prosecute identified sponsors of terrorism; alleged subduing of opposition parties by the electoral umpire; and deteriorating national conditions.

Recall that Ejimakor represented Nnamdi Kanu, throughput his trial on terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Kanu’s group, IPOB, was proscribed by the Federal Government in 2017 and campaigns for an independent Biafran state. The proscription is still a subject of appeal.

The Federal Government’s “Operation Safe Corridor” programme de-radicalises and reintegrates low-risk former Boko Haram members. The initiative has drawn heated criticism from groups demanding tougher action against insurgents and public prosecution of alleged terror financiers.

Ejimakor’s reference to a “neutral umpire” comes amid repeated claims by opposition parties that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acted partially in recent polls.

The Office of the National Security Adviser and INEC had not reacted to Ejimakor’s post at the time of filing this report.