Fresh revelations have emerged in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), with a prosecution witness stating that Kanu confirmed making violent broadcasts.
The testimony, given by a Department of State Services (DSS) officer under the shielded identity “BBB,” has sparked renewed public interest and concern regarding the controversial broadcasts linked to Kanu.
The second prosecution witness was led in evidence by the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
The witness testified that Kanu acknowledged making broadcasts calling for the deaths of key political figures, including President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
According to the DSS official, during the recording of Kanu’s statement on July 17, 2021, recordings of his past speeches were played.
The witness said Kanu listened and confirmed he made them.
“Kanu confirmed making them,” he stated, reinforcing the gravity of the allegations against the IPOB leader.
Moreover, the court admitted into evidence a flash drive containing seven recordings of Kanu’s broadcasts.
The first of those, dated December 12, 2020, included Kanu announcing the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
He justified the move by comparing the ESN to the South West’s Amotekun and the North’s Miyetti Allah.
However, towards the end of that broadcast, Kanu said Wike “does not deserve to live and that he deserves to die,” accusing the governor of placing a bounty on a Biafran’s head.
Kanu added that any governor involved in the killing of Biafrans would face the same consequence.
In the second broadcast, dated October 20, 2020, during the End SARS protests, Kanu allegedly incited violence in Lagos.
He instructed followers to kill Tinubu, describing him as “a traitor and an evil man who should be taught a lesson.”
Furthermore, he directed the burning of government properties, naming the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NITEL House, and all police stations as targets.
In addition, the witness said a letter dated June 10, 2021, written by then-Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, was sent to the DSS to investigate Kanu’s activities.
The letter, which was read in court, accused Kanu of inciting his followers to commit various crimes, including the killing of PDP chieftain Ahmed Gulak and the burning of the house of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
Furthermore, in another recording, Kanu is heard offering N100 million to anyone who could kill Wike.
He said, “N100m for anyone who can take Wike down. Dead or alive, Wike is N100m. I will pay cash. Take down Wike, I will pay you cash.”
Meanwhile, the fifth recording allegedly shows Kanu telling his followers to kill soldiers, claiming that guns were available in Edo State to carry out such attacks.
In the sixth video, Kanu was seen in the United States urging the public to donate guns and ammunition. When asked about the recording, the witness said Kanu was “soliciting guns to fight the Nigerian state,” although the people he addressed were reportedly cautioning him.
The seventh recording reportedly had Kanu warning other tribes to resist the Fulani, alleging that they were invading other regions and that Hausas had already been subjugated.
After the videos were played, the prosecution sought to tender the recording of Kanu’s statement-taking session.
The court accepted the evidence. Awomolo then requested an adjournment to continue playing another one-and-a-half-hour-long recording.
The request was not opposed by Kanu’s lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN).
Consequently, Justice James Omotosho adjourned the trial to May 8 for continuation.
This development in the Nnamdi Kanu trial has triggered more discussions about how sensitive national issues are communicated.
