A prosecution witness in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Thursday said that the defendant admitted smuggling a radio transmitter into the country.
The witness, an official of the Department of State Services (DSS), identified a video recording of DSS officials’ inspection of the transmitter in Ubuluisiuzor, Anambra State, allegedly used by Kanu for his Radio Biafra and which, the witness said, the defendant admitted smuggling into the country
The secret police presented four video recordings, one of which showed Kanu consenting to interviews with officials during his detention in October 2015.
The witness said the videos prove that Kanu made his statements voluntarily, denying any form of duress or coercion.
Lead prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) tendered the recordings in evidence without objection from defence counsel Kanu Agabi (SAN). However, Agabi opposed the admissibility of Kanu’s written statements, citing claims they were not made voluntarily.
Justice Omotosho then ordered a “trial within trial” to determine the voluntariness of the statements. Kanu’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), said his client was denied access to counsel, threatened, and deprived of outdoor time despite health concerns. Kanu also alleged he was pressured to implicate former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha.
During the trial within trial, the DSS witness denied the allegations, saying Kanu received preferential treatment, including bottled water of his choice. He described the defendant’s claims as surprising.
Three video clips played in court showed Kanu interacting freely with DSS officials, smiling at intervals, and explaining his motivations. He justified IPOB’s mission as a self-determination movement and likened the Biafra Volunteer Force to the Salvation Army.
Cross-examined by Erokoro, the witness insisted Kanu was not coerced and that his complaints were addressed. Kanu, testifying in his own defence, insisted he was held in solitary confinement, blindfolded, and denied legal access. He described the DSS investigator as Mr. Brown Ukuaba and claimed the videos shown in court were edited.
Despite these claims, under cross-examination by Awomolo, Kanu acknowledged being attended to by DSS doctors and confirmed the agency had a “good doctor.”
