Abuja, Nigeria — The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday clear dem name as dem distance demself from the controversial arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), wey happen for Kenya. Dis submission happen during di cross-examination of a prosecution witness, wey just identify as BBB, an intelligence officer from DSS.
The security agency talk say dem operations no extend beyond Nigeria’s borders. Dis matter come out during di session when Paul Erokoro (SAN), di defense lead counsel, dey ask question on behalf of Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), di defense team.
Kanu dey face serious terrorism-related charges wey di Federal Government bring against am. Before di cross-examination start, Agabi don take time to distance di defense team from any negative publications wey dey circulate for media.
“We no be part of those negative reports,” Agabi talk, as di lead prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), also support am, expressing concern over di impact of such narratives. Awomolo don even send formal letter to di defense on di issue and don request court make dem issue directive to stop di trend.
“E important make we caution ourselves, especially we lawyers. Dis na sensitive national matter, and professionalism suppose guide our conduct,” Awomolo urge.
During di court session, Justice Omotoso warn legal practitioners against sensationalism and unethical behavior. “Lawyers no suppose leak court proceedings or confidential communication just to generate traffic or sympathy,” he say. “We must act in di interest of justice, no be personal popularity.”
As di cross-examination continue, Erokoro dey question di DSS operative on several aspects of di agency’s investigation and operation limits. Di witness, wey no listen to Radio Biafra directly, admit say di intelligence from oda officers wey dey assigned for di task was credible.
Pressed on di legality of Kanu’s arrest for Kenya, di officer deny say dem get anything to do with am, saying: “We na domestic intelligence agency. We no operate outside Nigeria. If dem arrest am for Kenya, we no be responsible.”
When Erokoro ask whether di officer investigate Kanu’s claim of being “kidnapped” and forcefully brought back to Nigeria, di witness reply say dat one no dey part of him brief.
Di defense don also highlight various court judgments wey declare Kanu’s detention and di invasion of him home for Abia illegal. Erokoro manage submit certified copies of those judgments from courts for Abia, Umuahia, and Enugu, and di prosecution no raise any objection, so di court admit di documents.
As di session dey go on, Erokoro don also challenge di witness on whether calling for self-determination without violence fit be terrorism. Di witness admit say not all agitators na terrorists, but e add say di kind agitation wey Kanu dey do na to preach violence.
Di defense also raise concerns about di perceived double standard for di way udder regional security outfits like Amotekun dey handled, as well as past political agitators.
On di broader issue of insecurity, di DSS officer accept say even though Kanu dey custody, violent incidents wey relate to IPOB no completely cease but e say di tings dey reduce. A heated argument follow when di defense ask to stand down di matter, saying dem need to get some video evidence for presentation. Awomolo object, accuse di defense of using delay tactics.
However, Justice Omotoso allow di application in di interest of justice, fixing May 22 for di continuation and conclusion of di cross-examination and warning say di defense must close dia case or dem go deem am closed.
