The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the Biafra nation agitator, on terrorism charges brought by the federal government, began on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the first witness in the case testified privately, with proceedings conducted behind closed doors.
Justice James Omotosho approved the federal government’s request for witnesses to testify behind closed doors.
The ruling was made following an ex-parte application filed by the federal government’s lawyer, Adegboyega Adegboyega SAN, while arguing the application, urged Justice Omotosho to ensure the identities of the witnesses be kept confidential for security reasons.
Read also:Nnamdi Kanu apologises, asks for forgiveness over misconduct in court
He emphasized that the charges against Nnamdi Kanu, which involve serious terrorism offenses, necessitated the protection of the witnesses.
The senior counsel requested that the names and other identifying details of the witnesses be shielded from the public for safety reasons.
With no objection from Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi SAN, Justice Omotosho granted the request. However, the judge stipulated that Kanu must be allowed to see the faces of those testifying in the trial.
At the commencement of the trial, the federal government’s first witness, an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), was referred to by the court as PWAAA, in line with the decision to keep the identities of witnesses confidential.
In his testimony, the witness provided a detailed account of his agency’s actions, stating that, acting on intelligence, an 8-man team of operatives was deployed to a hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, on October 15, 2015, where Nnamdi Kanu was arrested during a room-to-room search.
He explained that the search was necessary because Kanu’s name was not listed on the hotel’s guest manifest. It was only after his arrest that they discovered Kanu had used his native name to secure the accommodation.
The witness further revealed that various items were recovered from Kanu’s hotel room, including IPOB pamphlets, IPOB membership cards, laptops, iPads, microphones, a microphone stand, flash drives, power adapters for mixers, different phone brands, perfumes, ATM cards, wristwatches, and other items.
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These items were later brought to court by the DSS in four suites, displayed publicly, and admitted as exhibits, as Kanu’s defense team raised no objections.
Additionally, the witness stated that Kanu’s interrogation had been video recorded. The footage was played in open court and, along with Kanu’s written statement, was admitted as evidence.
In his written statement, which was read aloud in open court by the witness, Nnamdi Kanu asserted that his advocacy for the emancipation of the South East, South South, and parts of Benue and Kogi States was a legitimate exercise of his fundamental rights—not an act of terrorism, as alleged by the federal government.
He maintained that the pursuit of self-determination is not a crime, emphasizing that freedom fighting is recognized globally, including in Nigeria, as a fundamental right.
Kanu also cited relevant legal provisions to support his position.
Read also:Nnamdi Kanu denies FG’s terrorism accusations
The statement, made to the DSS on October 15, 2015 in Lagos, noted that it was taken without the presence of his legal counsel, contrary to legal procedure.
In both the statement and accompanying video clips, Kanu acknowledged founding and operating Radio Biafra, which he said was registered in London.
He explained that the station was not registered with Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) because it was not based in the country, and therefore, did not require local licensing.
Concluding his testimony, the witness told the court that Kanu admitted to being the founder and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as well as to establishing and operating Radio Biafra.
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter to May 2, 2025, for cross-examination of the witness.
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