The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday that his mission has always been about freedom and not violence. During the court proceedings, Kanu made it clear that he is advocating for the rights and emancipation of people from Nigeria’s South East, South South, and parts of Benue and Kogi states.
This statement was part of a written confession Kanu gave to the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos on October 15, 2015. It was read in court during the latest hearing of the terrorism case filed against him by the Federal Government. Kanu is currently facing a seven-count charge after the court had earlier struck out eight of the original 15 counts in 2022.
He was first arrested in 2015 upon arrival from the United Kingdom and was later released on bail in 2017. However, after fleeing the country, he was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and returned to Nigeria where he remains in DSS custody.
In court, the government’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), asked for the protection of witness identities due to the sensitive nature of the case. The judge ruled that while Kanu must see the faces of the witnesses, they would testify from behind a screen. Kanu’s legal team, led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), did not object to the arrangement but requested equal fairness in dealing with Kanu’s bail application.
The court heard from the first prosecution witness, identified only as Mr AAA, a DSS officer with 18 years of service. He said Kanu was found in room 303 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Lagos, even though his name did not appear on the hotel’s guest manifest. A search of the room reportedly uncovered broadcasting equipment linked to Radio Biafra, which Kanu confirmed owning.
Mr AAA also told the court that Kanu initially resisted arrest and headbutted one of the DSS officers. He further stated that Kanu’s passport was not found during the initial search but was later handed over by the hotel manager the following day. The document, along with various broadcasting gadgets, pamphlets, and personal items, were presented in court in four suitcases and admitted as evidence.
A recorded interrogation session, played during the trial, featured Kanu explaining his reasons for starting Radio Biafra. He admitted he did not register the station with Nigeria’s broadcasting authority because he believed it would not be approved.
Kanu insisted in his statement that he had never been involved in any form of violence and that he is “in the struggle to make life better for people.” He noted that freedom fighting is not a crime and is protected under international law.
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, accepted both Kanu’s written statement and video clips as court exhibits. The trial has been adjourned until May 2 for further cross-examination and to hear from the second prosecution witness.
