Human Rights Lawyer Inibehe Effiong Blasts Tinubu’s Aide Bayo Onanuga, Calls Him “Mischievous” Over Attack on Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer
ABUJA – October 20, 2025
Human rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, has slammed Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing his comments against Barrister Aloy Ejimakor as “mischievous and baseless.”
Effiong’s reaction came after Onanuga publicly criticized Ejimakor, one of the lawyers to the illegally detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for participating in the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
Onanuga, in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), claims he had seen Ejimakor among protesters mobilized by activist Omoyele Sowore, and accused him of unethical conduct. The presidential aide erroneously claimed, Ejimakor’s participation in the protest violated legal ethics and the principle of sub judice given the ongoing illegal case against Kanu.
“I wonder what Mr. Ejimakor was thinking when he decided to join this shambolic protest. As a lawyer, he should be aware of the principle of sub judice, particularly in relation to the ongoing treason case before the court,” Onanuga wrote. “Rather than focusing on preparing a strong case, Mr. Ejimakor has resorted to extra-legal tactics, joining a career anarchist, to influence the process. Legal authorities should consider appropriate sanctions for the unethical conduct of the bearded lawyer,” he added.
In a swift and fiery response, Inibehe Effiong blasted Onanuga, accusing him of mischief and ignorance of the law. The outspoken lawyer said there is no legal or ethical restriction preventing any lawyer from peacefully protesting for their client’s release.
“I am not aware of any law or ethical rule in the legal profession that prohibits a legal practitioner or a counsel on record from taking part in a peaceful demonstration to ask or demand for the release of his client,” Effiong stated.
He further rebuked Onanuga for diverting attention from the government’s violent response to peaceful demonstrators.
“Your postulation is borne out of mischief,” Effiong fired back. “You cannot dictate to a Nigerian when or for what purpose to protest. The fact that your cowardly regime has unleashed violence on peaceful protesters is what you should be addressing.”
Effiong’s response has since gone viral, with many Nigerians applauding his boldness and defending Ejimakor’s right to protest. The exchange has also reignited debate over the government’s approach to the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstrations, which have spread across major cities despite intimidation and arrests.
Legal analysts note that Effiong’s intervention highlights a broader issue, the shrinking civic space and the government’s growing intolerance for different view. As protests intensify and public criticism mounts, President Tinubu’s administration faces renewed calls to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in compliance with both Nigerian court rulings and United Nations directives.
