A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu admitted to smuggling a Biafra Radio transmitter into Anambra State in 2015.
The witness, identified in court as PWCCC, said the IPOB leader confessed during interrogation that he set up the transmitter at Ubuluisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.
PWCCC testified on Wednesday, May 28, that Kanu also admitted to founding Radio Biafra to promote the self-determination cause for the South-East region.
Earlier in the trial, the DSS had submitted audio recordings of Kanu’s broadcasts from the radio station. In those recordings, the defendant was allegedly heard calling for attacks on prominent Nigerians.
A DSS officer told the court those broadcasts incited violence among Kanu’s followers.
According to PWCCC, “Kanu on November 4, 2015, in an interview with his colleagues, admitted smuggling a radio transmitter into Nigeria.”
A video of the interview, where Kanu reportedly spoke about inspecting the installed transmitter, was played in court and accepted as evidence.
However, the trial took a dramatic turn when the prosecution, led by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, attempted to submit one of Kanu’s statements.
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After reviewing the document, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, showed it to his client, who claimed it was obtained under duress.
Kanu told the court, “The coercion started from Lagos when they were transporting me from Lagos to Abuja, where a DSS officer struck me, chained and blindfolded me.”
He also said he made the statement without his lawyer present and that his 2015 detention had no legal backing.
Under cross-examination, Kanu insisted that the interviews took place in an unconducive environment and without legal representation.
Another DSS operative, identified as PWAAA, dismissed the allegations as “baseless, unfounded and an afterthought.” He maintained that all interviews were conducted “in the most conducive and harmonious atmosphere.”
Justice James Omotosho responded to the claims by ordering a trial within a trial to determine whether Kanu’s statement was made voluntarily.
He directed both Awomolo and Agabi to file their written addresses by Thursday, May 29, and set Friday at 2:00 pm for the ruling.
Further proceedings have been adjourned to May 29.