The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) has asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take disciplinary action against Mr Aloy Ejimakor counsel for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu over alleged professional misconduct relating to his participation in the recent “Free Nnamdi Kanu” protest in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the group’s executive director, Comrade Gbenga Soloki, the group condemned the lawyer’s appearance and participation at the protest ground.
Soloki described Ejimakor’s action as a clear breach of professional ethics and a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) for Legal Practitioners 2023, particularly Rule 33, which deals with sub judice statements.
He said by joining a public protest concerning a case he is handling in court, Ejimakor acted in a manner that could influence public perception and potentially compromise the impartiality of the court.
He said, “The law expects that lawyers argue their cases in court, not on the streets, in protest grounds, or on media platforms. Mr. Ejimakor’s participation in the protest is tantamount to trying to sway public opinion and, by extension, the court’s view on a matter still under adjudication.”
The group said the legal profession demands discipline, restraint, and respect for judicial processes, warning that “emotions must never override ethics.
“This act by Mr. Ejimakor amounts to professional misconduct. The law is not emotional, and every lawyer is bound by its standards, regardless of who their client is,” the group added.
It therefore urged the law enforcement agencies to investigate the lawyer’s actions to determine if his involvement in the protest constituted a breach of national security or contempt of court.
Also, the group called on the Nigerian Bar Association’s Disciplinary Committee to review Ejimakor’s conduct and impose appropriate sanctions to preserve the integrity and credibility of the legal profession.
