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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday told the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that broadcasts by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, directly led to economic paralysis in Nigeria’s South-East region.
A DSS operative, codenamed Mr. DDD for security reasons, testified before Justice James Omotosho on Friday stating that Kanu’s broadcasts incited the enforcement of IPOB’s sit-at-home order through its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“From my investigation, the defendant’s broadcasts directly contributed to economic paralysis in the South-East, as they fuelled the enforcement of IPOB’s sit-at-home order,” Mr. DDD testified under examination by prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
The witness also detailed how Kanu allegedly smuggled a radio transmitter into Nigeria, concealed within household items, to evade detection. The transmitter, which was not declared to the Nigerian Customs Service, was reportedly hidden at the residence of one Benjamin Madubougu in Ihiala, Anambra State.
Mr. DDD informed the court that Kanu used the transmitter to incite violence and spread secessionist messages. “The defendant used the radio to incite members of the public against the Federal Government,” adding, “We obtained a search warrant, searched Benjamin’s residence, and recovered the transmitter along with other items, including firearms, cartridges, Biafran currency, and Indian hemp.”
The court admitted a certified true copy of the search warrant issued by the Ihiala Chief Magistrate Court on October 28, 2015, as evidence.
A video recording allegedly showing Kanu inspecting the smuggled transmitter was also tendered and admitted despite objections from the defense team, led by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN).
In the video, played in open court, Kanu was seen praising the transmitter as a game changer and referring to it as a nuclear weapon for Biafra. He was also heard warning South-East residents not to defy IPOB’s sit-at-home order scheduled for May 31, 2021, threatening violence against violators.
A flash drive containing 18 video clips and 16 radio broadcasts attributed to Kanu was tendered by the prosecution and admitted into evidence by the court. Additionally, Benjamin Madubougu’s statement, where he admitted that Kanu had not provided any customs documentation for the imported transmitter, was presented.
The court also admitted a publication from Vanguard newspaper in which an alleged ESN member claimed that Kanu ordered the collection of 2,000 human heads for burial rites, although only 30 were reportedly obtained. The court admitted the newspaper article, along with a certificate of compliance, despite objections from the defense.
The prosecution further applied for the court to inspect the container housing the transmitter and other related items, currently held at the DSS facility in the Presidential Villa. The request was granted without opposition.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the court would visit the DSS premises to inspect the container and adjourned further proceedings. He emphasized that the court is duty-bound to examine all evidence thoroughly in the pursuit of justice.