The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), continues before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. During the proceedings, the prosecution presented key evidence linking Kanu to acts of terrorism.
The prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adegboyega Awomolo, called a witness identified by the code name BBB. The witness resumed testimony, focusing on a petition allegedly authored by former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and addressed to the Department of State Services (DSS). The petition accuses Kanu of terrorism, murder, and incitement to violence against Nigerian security forces.
The document, dated June 17, 2021, was admitted into evidence as Exhibit PWF after no objections from the defense, which is led by Kanu Agabi, SAN. The petition alleges that Kanu, through various broadcasts, incited attacks on police and military personnel, resulting in killings, arson, and the destruction of public institutions, including police stations and correctional facilities. The witness quoted the petition, noting that Kanu had instructed his followers to kill police officers and seize their weapons.
The court also admitted Kanu’s written statement to the DSS, dated July 17, 2021, in which he declined to make a fresh submission, stating that he had already addressed the allegations. This document was marked as Exhibit PEG.
Awomolo then led the witness to identify a flash drive, allegedly containing Kanu’s broadcasts. Despite an objection from the defense, the court admitted the flash drive and its accompanying certificate of compliance as Exhibits PWA and PW1, respectively.
One of the video clips played in court, recorded on December 12, features Kanu addressing his followers from “the blessed land of Biafra.” In the video, Kanu announces the establishment of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and urges resistance against what he describes as “Fulani domination.” He also warns regional governors against political compromises, declaring that “no Fulani parading as herdsmen shall be allowed in our land.”
Another video, played in court, reportedly shows Kanu inciting violence, including calls to “burn down Lagos,” “set Murtala Mohammed Airport on fire,” and “kill policemen.” The witness testified that the voice in the recording belongs to Kanu. In a separate audio recording, a voice resembling Kanu’s instructs his followers to burn down government buildings, kill police officers, and manufacture weapons for attacks.
Additional recordings presented in court include Kanu allegedly instructing his followers to kill soldiers, ambush military personnel, and set traps on roads. The voice also threatens to burn shops of anyone who disobeys his orders to observe a “total sit-at-home” in the Southeast. One call captured during the End SARS protests in October 2020 reveals Kanu discussing plans to provide guns to supporters for attacks on military personnel.
Further testimony revealed that Kanu admitted to making these recordings when they were played to him. In one video, Kanu discusses the need for weapons in the Biafran struggle, while another recording features him claiming that the Fulani ethnic group seeks to dominate Nigeria, and that a revolution is necessary to stop this.
The court also admitted a CD of Kanu’s interview with the DSS, dated July 17, 2021, as Exhibits PWI and PWI-1, despite objections from the defense.
The prosecution also presented the Federal Government Gazette of September 20, 2017, which proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organization, marking it as Exhibit PWJ.
Concluding the session, Awomolo requested an adjournment, and the court set the next hearing for Thursday, May 8, 2025.
