The Federal High Court in Abuja has heard detailed testimony alleging that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), covertly imported a radio transmitter into Nigeria by concealing it among household goods.
Testifying as the fourth prosecution witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative—identified in court as Mr. DDD—claimed that the device entered the country without being declared to the Nigeria Customs Service. According to the witness, it was later discovered at the home of one Benjamin Madubougu in Ihiala, Anambra State.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo, the witness alleged that Kanu used the transmitter to broadcast secessionist rhetoric and inflammatory messages aimed at inciting unrest against the Nigerian state.
The court admitted as evidence a certified copy of the search warrant issued by the Ihiala Chief Magistrate Court on October 28, 2015, which authorized the search that led to the transmitter’s discovery. Additionally, a video recording allegedly showing Kanu inspecting the transmitter was presented by the prosecution and accepted into evidence, despite objections from the defence team, led by senior lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu.
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In the video played in open court, Kanu was allegedly seen praising the transmitter as a game changer and referring to it as a nuclear weapon for Biafra.
He also reportedly warned residents of the South-East geopolitical zone not to defy IPOB’s sit-at-home order scheduled for May 31, 2021, threatening violence against violators.
While the defence team objected to the admissibility of the newspaper article, the court admitted it along with a certificate of compliance.
The prosecution further applied for the court to inspect the container that housed the transmitter and other related items currently held at the DSS facility. The request was granted without opposition.
Presiding over the case, Justice James Omotoso ruled that the court would conduct an on-site inspection of the container and radio transmitter currently held at the Department of State Services (DSS) premises. Emphasizing the judiciary’s responsibility to exhaustively scrutinize all available evidence, the judge underscored that such diligence is essential in the pursuit of justice.
During a brief session held at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, Justice Omotoso formally admitted the items into evidence—labeling the container as Exhibit PWY and the radio transmitter as Exhibit PWZ.
The decision to relocate the proceedings was prompted by an oral application from the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, who requested that the court physically inspect the exhibits stored at the DSS facility. The judge granted the request, citing the need for direct assessment of the material evidence.
The case has been adjourned to June 18, 19, and 20, during which the prosecution is expected to conclude its presentation.