Aloy Ejimakor, the counsel of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has said the agitator is not a convicted felon.

He stated this on Tuesday while reacting to Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s call for a “pardon” for Kanu.

Naija News reports that Ohanaeze’s National Vice President, Damian Okeke-Ogene, had made the call while addressing journalists in Awka on Tuesday, on Nigeria’s independence day.

He said, “Our major demand in this year’s Independence Day celebration is for the President to use the joy associated with the day to grant a political pardon to one of our sons and the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from DSS detention.”

Okeke-Ogene said Kanu’s release would restore peace, enable the identification of those perpetuating violence, and ultimately put an end to the disturbing sit-at-home practice in the southeast region.

However, Ejimakor argued that the group cannot demand for the IPOB’s leader pardon because he is not a convicted felon.

Speaking via his X account, he said, “Dear #Ohanaeze Ndigbo, it’s shocking that you’re asking for PARDON for someone who is NOT yet convicted.

“FYI, pardon is for convicted felons and it will never arise in this case because #MNK committed no crime by demanding political justice for his people.”