Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, has claimed that the separatist leader was subjected to “prosecutorial overkill” by the Nigerian government.

Ejimakor, in a post on X, alleged that the government influenced the judicial process against Kanu, arguing that the main issue in the case was his agitation for Biafra and not allegations of terrorism or treason.

According to the lawyer, Kanu’s campaign for a separate state was based on his argument that Nigerians should be treated equally, adding that separation would be an option if such conditions were not met.

“From day one, the bone of contention wasn’t terrorism or treason, but agitation for a separate state,” Ejimakor said.

“MNK is a victim of prosecutorial overkill by the State and the judiciary was hoodwinked. What remains is the fix, and it shall come, sooner than later.”

Kanu was first arrested on October 14, 2015, in Lagos by the Department of State Services over his activities with Radio Biafra and allegations of treasonable felony.

He was arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate Court in November 2015 before his trial continued at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court granted Kanu bail on health grounds in April 2017, but his bail was later revoked after he left Nigeria following a military operation at his Abia State residence.

The IPOB leader was arrested in Kenya on June 26, 2021, and returned to Nigeria through an extraordinary rendition process. He was subsequently detained by the DSS and re-arraigned before the Federal High Court.

After years of legal proceedings over his separatist activities, Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court on November 20, 2025.

The Nigerian government has maintained that Kanu’s prosecution was based on alleged offences against the state and national security.