Nnamdi Kanu admitted inciting attacks against police officers, DSS official tells court

A witness in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu claims that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) admitted during interrogation to inciting Nigerians to launch attacks on police officers.

The witness, simply identified as “BBB” and an official of the Department of States Services (DSS), appeared before James Omotosho of the federal high court in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Led in evidence by Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel to the federal government, the DSS official said Kanu is the leader of IPOB and founder of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which is the armed wing of the group.

The witness said Kanu operated an illegal radio station known as Radio Biafra, adding that the station was not licensed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The DSS official said he was part of the team that was assigned to take the statement of Kanu on July 17, 2021.

The witness said the assignment was given following a letter from the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) requesting that the IPOB leader be investigated for alleged terrorism.

The DSS official said the statement of Kanu was taken in presence of two legal representatives of the IPOB leader, including Aloy Ejimakor.

The witness said he handed over the AGF’s letter to Kanu and that after the IPOB leader read it, he showed his lawyers.

The witness told the court that broadcast clips of Kanu’s speech on Radio Biafra were played to him, including the one wherein the IPOB leader “called for an attack on police officers”.

The DSS official said the IPOB leader “admitted that the recordings were his own”.

When asked by the federal government’s lawyer what Kanu was agitating for, the witness said the separatist leader wanted the secession of the five south-east states, part of Kogi and parts of Benue from the rest of Nigeria. He added that the interrogation was captured on video.

Afterwards Awomolo sought to tender the AGF’s letter, and a copy of the video disc containing the interrogation session.

However, Kanu Agabi, the IPOB leader’s lawyer, objected over the absence of the materials in the proof of evidence served on them.

Agabi said it was necessary for the prosecution to “give the defendant copies all documents and materials”, which will be relied on for prosecution of the case.

The defense counsel sought an adjournment to enable the prosecution to “do the needful”.

Responding, Awomolo said the non-service of the document should not hinder the proceedings.

But the defense counsel argued that they need time to study the materials.

Awomolo said non-service of the documents could be a “mistake” since he recently took over the case, and agreed that the case should be adjourned.

In his ruling, Omotosho held that the defence was entitled to all the documents and materials the prosecution planned to rely on.

He ordered the prosecution to furnish the defense with all the necessary documents.

Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter to May 7 to enable the prosecution to serve the defence all the necessary documents.

The DSS official is expected to continue the testimony during the next date.

Kanu is currently facing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony. He has since pleaded not guilty to the charges.