Kanu Confesses to Smuggling Biafra Radio Transmitter, FG Witness Tells Court

The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), took a new turn on Wednesday as a witness for the Federal Government revealed that Kanu confessed to smuggling a Biafra Radio transmitter into Nigeria.

The revelation came during a session at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, identified as CCC for security reasons, testified before Justice James Omotosho as the third prosecution witness (PW-3) in the ongoing terrorism case against Kanu.

According to the witness, Kanu admitted to setting up the radio equipment at Ubuluisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. The transmitter, allegedly used to operate Radio Biafra, was inspected by DSS officials, and the inspection was captured on video — one of four recordings admitted as evidence in court.

Earlier, DSS operatives had submitted audio recordings of Kanu’s 2020 broadcasts, in which he was reportedly heard inciting violence and calling for attacks on notable figures including President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Led in evidence by Federal Government’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, CCC identified Kanu as the leader of IPOB — designated a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government — and the founder of Radio Biafra, which the witness claimed was used to incite violence.

CCC stated he first met Kanu on October 21, 2015, when he and a team were tasked with interviewing the IPOB leader and obtaining his statement. These interview sessions, which spanned four days, were recorded on video with Kanu’s consent, and the defendant later submitted written statements.

While Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, did not oppose the admission of the video recordings, he objected to the tendering of the written statements. He argued that Kanu claimed the statements were not made voluntarily.

In response, Justice Omotosho ordered a trial-within-trial to determine whether Kanu’s statements were made under duress.

During the trial-within-trial, prosecution witness CCC — now referred to as TCCC — denied all allegations of coercion. He told the court that Kanu was not mistreated, denied access to legal counsel, or subjected to poor detention conditions. Rather, the witness claimed, Kanu was treated with respect, given bottled water during interviews, and allowed to speak freely.

In contrast, Kanu, testifying as the sole defence witness, maintained that he was held in an underground solitary cell, shackled, blindfolded during his 2015 arrest, and denied access to his lawyers. He also alleged that DSS investigators, particularly one Mr. Brown Ukuaba, an Assistant Director of Investigation, threatened to deny him bail and medical care unless he made specific statements about former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Kanu further claimed that the video recordings presented in court had been edited and did not reflect the full context of his statements.

However, under cross-examination by Awomolo, Kanu admitted that the DSS interviews allowed him to explain IPOB’s structure, finances, and mission. He confirmed that he received medical care during his detention, stating, “They have a good doctor there.”

The DSS also referenced an earlier interview Kanu granted to Sahara Reporters, in which he allegedly described Nigeria as a “zoo” and made derogatory remarks about then-President Muhammadu Buhari. The DSS said they played this interview during Kanu’s interrogation to confirm its authenticity, which Kanu acknowledged.

Three of the recorded interview sessions were played in court, showing Kanu appearing calm and interacting normally with DSS officials while wearing a shirt and trousers.

Justice Omotosho has adjourned the matter until May 29. The final written addresses by both parties will be adopted at 12 noon, with a ruling expected later that day by 2 p.m.

Source News

Vanguard

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