The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take disciplinary action against Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Their grouse is on the lawyer’s alleged professional misconduct arising from his participation in the recent “Free Nnamdi Kanu” protest in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Comrade Gbenga Soloki, the group described Ejimakor’s involvement in the demonstration as “a clear breach of professional ethics”.
They further cited his violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) for Legal Practitioners, 2023 particularly Rule 33, which prohibits extra-judicial statements or actions capable of influencing ongoing court proceedings.
Soloki quoted the rule as stating that, “A lawyer or law firm engaged in or associated with the prosecution or defence of a criminal matter, or associated with a civil action shall not, while litigation is anticipated or pending, make or participate in making any extra-judicial statement that is calculated to prejudice or interfere with, or is reasonably capable of prejudicing or interfering with, the fair trial of the matter or the judgment or sentence.”
According to him, Ejimakor’s public participation in a protest directly related to a case he is handling “could sway public opinion and undermine the impartiality of the court.
“The law expects that lawyers argue their cases in court not on the streets or media platforms.
“Mr. Ejimakor’s conduct amounts to attempting to influence judicial outcomes through public pressure. Emotions must never override ethics, ‘: he said.
The group stressed that the legal profession demanded discipline, restraint, and respect for judicial processes, warning that such conduct, if left unchecked, could set a dangerous precedent.
CAIDOV also urged law enforcement agencies to investigate whether Ejimakor’s involvement in the protest posed any security risks or constituted contempt of court.
He also called on the NBA’s Disciplinary Committee to immediately review the lawyer’s conduct and impose necessary sanctions to uphold the integrity of the profession.
“Mr. Ejimakor made a serious ethical blunder by publicly protesting for a client whose case he is actively handling.
“The NBA must act decisively to demonstrate that no lawyer is above professional discipline, ” the statement read.
Ejimakor, who serves as special counsel to Kanu, was among several persons reportedly detained by police during the protest, which demanded the IPOB leader’s release from custody.
