The trial of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, continued on Tuesday before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the prosecution tendering key exhibits linking the defendant to alleged acts of terrorism.
A prosecution witness, identified under the code name BBB, resumed testimony, focusing on a petition allegedly authored by the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and addressed to the Department of State Services (DSS).
The letter accused Mr Kanu of terrorism, murder, and incitement to violence against Nigerian security forces.
Dated June 17, 2021, the document was admitted into evidence and marked as Exhibit PWF after no objection was raised by the defence team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
The witness read from the petition, which alleged that Mr Kanu, through multiple broadcasts, incited attacks on police and military personnel, resulting in deaths, arson, and the destruction of public infrastructure, including police stations and correctional centres.
According to the witness:
“He instructed, through his broadcast, that any police or army personnel seen should be brought down, and their guns seized and used.”
The petition further cited a series of violent incidents allegedly inspired by Mr Kanu’s directives, which it said posed a serious threat to national security.
Court Admits More Evidence Against Nnamdi Kanu
The court also admitted a written statement by Mr Kanu to the DSS, dated July 17, 2021, where he declined to make further written submissions, claiming he had already addressed the allegations. That document was marked Exhibit PEG.
Additionally, a flash drive allegedly containing Mr Kanu’s broadcasts was presented. Despite objections from the defence, the court admitted the flash drive and its accompanying certificate of compliance as Exhibits PWA and PW1, respectively.
In one of the videos played in court, reportedly recorded on December 12, Mr Kanu was seen addressing followers from “the blessed land of Biafra,” declaring the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and urging resistance against what he described as “Fulani domination.”
In the video, he warned southeastern governors against political compromises and vowed:
“No Fulani parading as herdsman shall be allowed in our land.”
Shocking Audio Clips
Another clip played in court allegedly featured Mr Kanu’s voice directing people to:
“Go and burn down Lagos,”
“Set Murtala Mohammed Airport on fire,”
“Burn down that Tinubu hotel,”
“Go into the bush, collect policemen’s guns, and kill them.”
In yet another video, the voice, said to be Kanu’s, declared:
“Every Federal Government building in Lagos should be set on fire. Any government vehicle you see, burn it. Manufacture your own weapons, ambush them.”
A separate audio recording captured a voice allegedly belonging to Kanu addressing callers on a live program:
“Any police officer you kill, go to their station and set it on fire. Kill them. They are Janjaweeds.”
“Tinubu is in trouble, he cannot run. Anywhere he runs to in this world, we will find him.”
“If we don’t behave like mad people in this zoological republic, this revolution will not work.”
“Start killing soldiers now. Set ambush for them. Dig holes in the roads so their vehicles will somersault and they’ll die.”
One caller from Ogbor Hill, Aba, asked for guns. The voice, believed to be Kanu’s, replied:
“Join the elite Biafra volunteer force. You’ll understand how things work.”
In another clip, Kanu allegedly declared a “total sit-at-home” in the Southeast:
“Nobody is allowed to come out, no matter who you are. If you dare open your shop tomorrow, we’ll burn you inside that shop!”
Another audio clip reportedly captured him instructing a man to retrieve guns in Edo State and:
“Kill some army officers, take their guns, and use them to attack others.”
More Exhibits Admitted
A CD plate of Mr Kanu’s interrogation at DSS headquarters on July 17, 2021, was also presented in court. Although the defence objected to its admissibility, they reserved their detailed objection for a later time. The CD and its certificate of compliance were admitted as Exhibits PWI and PWI-1.
The prosecution also tendered a Federal Government Gazette dated September 20, 2017, officially proscribing IPOB as a terrorist organisation. It was admitted as Exhibit PWJ.
Adjournment
Lead prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), requested an adjournment. The court scheduled the next hearing for Thursday, May 8, 2025.
This story is being updated. Please refresh for the latest developments.
