Freedom of Expression Under Siege? IPOB Lawyer Petitions IGP to Stop Prosecution of Peaceful Protesters

 

​In a significant legal intervention that has reignited the national conversation around civil liberties, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the prominent lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and specifically addressed CP Tunji Disu. The petition demands an immediate halt to the ongoing prosecution of citizens who participated in the recent "Free Nnamdi Kanu" protests. On February 26, 2026, Ejiofor decried the "continued harassment and judicial persecution" of peaceful demonstrators, arguing that the Nigerian police are criminalizing the fundamental right to assemble and express political dissent.

​The Core of the Petition: Protesting is Not Terrorism

​At the heart of Ifeanyi Ejiofor's letter is a constitutional argument. He asserts that the individuals currently facing trial were merely exercising their rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The protests, which called for the unconditional release of the detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, were largely described by organizers as peaceful expressions of solidarity.

​Ejiofor highlighted that many of the arrested individuals are being held on "frivolous and trumped-up charges," including breach of public peace and, in some cases, terrorism-related labels. The lawyer warned that using the state's prosecutorial power to silence supporters of Nnamdi Kanu creates a dangerous precedent that undermines the democratic fabric of the nation.

​Addressing the Police Command: A Call for Neutrality

​The petition specifically calls on CP Tunji Disu and the broader police hierarchy to maintain neutrality. Ejiofor argued that the police should act as protectors of peaceful assemblies rather than as "tools of suppression." He pointed to the October 2025 protests where, despite court orders clearing the way for demonstrations, police used tear gas and made dozens of arrests in Abuja and Lagos.

​“The Nigerian Police Force must realize that the call for Nnamdi Kanu’s release is a political and legal demand, not a criminal act,” Ejiofor stated in the briefing. He urged the IGP to review the files of all detained protesters and order their immediate discharge, emphasizing that the "waste of taxpayers' money" on unprepared prosecutions—as seen in recent court adjournments—must end.

​The Judicial Bottleneck: Police "Unpreparedness"

​A major point of contention raised by the legal team is the recurring theme of police unpreparedness during court hearings. During the recent sitting at the Kuje Magistrate Court, prosecutors reportedly failed to produce witnesses or serve the defense with necessary documents, leading to another long adjournment to late February 2026.

​This "delay tactic," according to Ejiofor, is a deliberate attempt to keep protesters in custody without a fair trial. By keeping the matter in a state of judicial limbo, the authorities are effectively punishing the demonstrators before they have even been convicted of any crime. The petition demands that if the police cannot present a credible case, the charges should be dropped entirely to decongest the legal system.

​Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention: The Root of the Agitation

​The ongoing prosecution of these protesters is inextricably linked to the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu himself. Despite several court rulings favoring his release or criticizing the manner of his rendition from Kenya, the federal government has maintained his custody on charges of treason and terrorism.

​This legal stalemate has fueled a cycle of protests and subsequent crackdowns. Ejiofor’s petition suggests that as long as the underlying issue—Kanu’s detention—remains unresolved, the state will continue to face civil unrest. He argues that the government should focus on political dialogue rather than criminalizing those who demand justice for the IPOB leader.

​Conclusion: A Test for Nigerian Democracy

​The petition by Ifeanyi Ejiofor to the IGP and CP Tunji Disu is more than a legal document; it is a test of Nigeria’s commitment to human rights in 2026. As the international community watches closely, the response of the police hierarchy will determine whether Nigeria is moving toward a more inclusive democratic space or tightening the grip on dissent. For the protesters currently in the dock, the hope is that this legal intervention will finally pave the way for their freedom and the recognition of their right to speak.