Lawyers to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the federal government’s legal team found themselves at odds in court over a recorded video and the conditions of Kanu’s detention.
Kanu is currently facing trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja on seven charges tied to alleged terrorism. The courtroom session saw moments of tension as both sides presented conflicting positions on the fairness and legality of evidence and detention procedures.
During proceedings, prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo submitted a number of documents, including a police report, a medical record, and a death certificate belonging to the late Ahmed Gulak, a former political adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. Gulak’s killing in 2021 had been previously linked to unknown gunmen allegedly connected to IPOB.
But under cross-examination, Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), raised concerns about a video recording made while Kanu was held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Agabi pointed out that the video lacked clarity and only showed the defendant and his legal team. He questioned why the recording did not feature DSS personnel conducting the interview.
The witness, believed to be a DSS investigator, stated that he could not recall whether he wore a mask during the interaction and said it was standard practice not to appear on such recordings.
Agabi went further to question the duration and nature of Kanu’s detention, claiming it was effectively solitary confinement. The witness responded, “Solitary confinement is not a practice of the DSS. I am not his handler,” and added that he was not responsible for decisions on custody conditions.
Agabi also told the court that his team had not been served with the documents being used by the prosecution, prompting him to ask for an adjournment. Awomolo objected to the delay and urged the court to order that the cross-examination continue, noting that five more prosecution witnesses were still scheduled to appear.
In his ruling, Justice James Omotosho noted the seriousness of the case and the need for a speedy trial. However, he granted a short adjournment to allow the defence to receive the necessary documents.
Separately, Agabi cleared up reports suggesting he had been blocked from visiting Kanu at the DSS facility. He explained that he had arrived earlier than planned and had not been denied access.
Justice Omotosho also addressed a social media post made by another member of the defence, Aloy Ejimakor. The post had claimed that the DSS refused Agabi entry. Ejimakor admitted that he misunderstood what Agabi had said about the visit.
