ABUJA, Nigeria – The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), took a dramatic turn on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, as a Department of State Services (DSS) official claimed that Kanu admitted to inciting violence against Nigerian security personnel during interrogation.
Testifying under the pseudonym “BBB” to protect his identity, the DSS officer told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Kanu confirmed authorship of a series of broadcasts from Radio Biafra — a station the prosecution says operates without a valid licence from Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The DSS official, led in evidence by federal government counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), stated that Kanu’s statement was taken on July 17, 2021, in the presence of his lawyers, including Aloy Ejimakor, after a letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation requested an investigation into the IPOB leader’s alleged terrorist activities.
The witness said recordings from Radio Biafra — including a clip in which Kanu allegedly called for attacks on police officers — were played back to him during questioning, and that Kanu acknowledged being the speaker in those broadcasts.
“He admitted that the recordings were his own,” the DSS official told the court, adding that the interrogation was captured on video.
According to the witness, Kanu was pursuing the secession of Nigeria’s five southeastern states, along with parts of Kogi and Benue, to form a separate nation.
Tensions flared when the prosecution sought to tender the AGF’s letter and the video recording of Kanu’s interrogation.
Lead defence counsel Kanu Agabi (SAN) objected, citing non-disclosure of the documents to the defence team as required under law.
Agabi argued that the materials had not been included in the proof of evidence previously served to the defence, insisting on an adjournment to allow time to study the documents.
Awomolo conceded that the omission may have been due to his recent takeover of the case and did not oppose the adjournment.
Justice James Omotosho agreed with the defence, ruling that the prosecution must provide the defence with all documents and materials it intends to rely on.
He adjourned the case to Wednesday, May 7, 2025, for continuation of trial and resumption of the DSS witness testimony.
Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 and re-arrested in 2021 after fleeing Nigeria, is currently facing a seven-count charge including terrorism and treasonable felony.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The federal government alleges that Kanu, through his leadership of IPOB and broadcasts on Radio Biafra, incited violence and instability, particularly in the southeast.
The group’s armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), has also been accused of launching deadly attacks on security forces.
