Aloy Ejimakor, legal consultant to the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has compared the self-representation stance of the separatist figure to that of the late Premier of the Old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Speaking on Sunday, Ejimakor revealed that Kanu’s refusal to engage a legal team has slowed down the filing of his appeal against the life sentence handed to him by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“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. I am a consultant to him,” he said.
Ejimakor added that Kanu, like other historical political figures, believes he can defend himself better than any lawyer.
“I don’t know why he does not want a lawyer, but I believe it is because he is a great man. Many great men are like that. They believe you can’t present their case like they can themselves. Even Awolowo refused to hire lawyers in his time. MNK wants to represent himself, and there are about four or five processes he has to follow to file the appeal before the Appellate Court,” he said.
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Calls for transfer to Abuja corridor
Ejimakor also supported Kanu’s request to be transferred from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a custodial facility closer to Abuja.
“The court already said he can’t be in Kuje prison, so that is fine, but he needs to be closer to Abuja,” he stated. “If the court will grant his motion to be transferred to Suleja prison or Keffi… they are all the same, but MNK needs to be close to Abuja.”
Kanu chose to represent himself after dismissing his former legal team led by ex-Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN). On November 20, he was found guilty on all seven terrorism-related charges and sentenced to life imprisonment.
He was subsequently moved to Sokoto Correctional Facility due to security risks associated with Kuje Prison, which had experienced previous jailbreaks.
Motion citing hardship, constitutional rights
Kanu filed a motion before Justice James Omotosho seeking his transfer to Suleja or Keffi to enable him to prepare his appeal. He argued that detention in Sokoto — over 700 kilometres from Abuja — makes filing his notice and record of appeal impracticable.
All those assisting him, including relatives and consultants, are Abuja-based.
“The applicant’s continued detention in Sokoto renders his constitutional right to appeal impracticable, occasioning exceptional hardship,” the motion read, citing Section 36 of the Constitution.
Kanu maintained that proximity to Abuja is essential for him to effectively exercise his right of appeal.
