Court Admits Evidence Against Nnamdi Kanu

The Federal High Court Abuja, yesterday, played a video recording showing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), issuing inciting directives which the prosecution said triggered acts of terrorism in the South East.

Justice James Omotoso, the trial judge, heard from a witness brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) operative, identified only by the codename BBB, how Kanu’s inciting statements and directives led to violent destruction in the region.

The witness was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.

One of Kanu’s broadcasts was contained in a flash drive, which was admitted as an exhibit.

Despite objections from the defence, the device was admitted as evidence alongside a certificate of compliance.

They were marked as Exhibits PWA and PW1, respectively.

When the video was played in open court, Kanu was seen addressing his followers in what he called “the blessed land of Biafra.”

He announced the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), urging followers to defend their land against what he referred to as “Fulani domination.”

He warned political leaders in the region against compromises. He issued a directive forbidding the presence of Fulani herdsmen, stating: “No Fulani parading as herdsmen shall be allowed in our land. If you are an agent of the Fulani, turn your way this evening.”

Earlier in the session, the court admitted a letter dated June 17, 2021, authored by the former attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), which accused Kanu of terrorism, murder, and incitement to violence.

The letter, addressed to the DSS, was tendered without objection and marked as Exhibit PWF.

Reading from the document, the witness alleged that Kanu’s broadcasts were followed by coordinated attacks on police stations and correctional facilities, resulting in loss of lives and property.

He quoted the petition as saying Kanu had instructed that security operatives be “brought down” and their weapons seized.

Also admitted was a statement dated July 17, 2021, purportedly made by Kanu during his detention. In it, he declined to make further written statements, asserting he had already addressed the allegations.

In another video clip, recorded on December 12, 2020, Kanu is seen broadcasting, declaring, “In the blessed land of Biafra, we must do everything to save ourselves from extinction.”

He described Nigeria as a “zoo” and called for resistance against what he termed Fulani domination, accusing political leaders of betraying the people.

In another video, Kanu introduced the Eastern Security Network (ESN), comparing it to regional security outfits like South West Amotekun and said defending the South-East from Fulani herders was necessary.

The court also viewed footage from the #EndSARS protests, where Kanu was seen directing attacks on police and government facilities.

A separate video dated May 30, 2021, showed Kanu declaring a total lockdown in the South-East in memory of fallen Biafrans, instructing residents not to leave their homes.

Another clip showed Kanu asking his followers to procure guns and bullets for self-defence, specifically referencing threats from Boko Haram and labelling Fulani herders as terrorists.

The witness confirmed the voice in the videos as Kanu’s.

Additionally, the federal government’s gazette officially proscribing IPOB as a terrorist organisation, dated September 20, 2017, was admitted as an exhibit without objection from the defence.

The federal government lawyer thereafter requested an adjournment to continue playing the remaining footage, noting it exceeded an hour.

The defence raised no objections, prompting Justice James Kolawole Omotosho to adjourn the matter to May 8 for continuation of the trial.