ABUJA, Nigeria – Di ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, di leader of di Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), continue for di Federal High Court on Wednesday as allegations of terrorism dey weigh heavy on am. Kanu dey face serious charges for him speeches and actions wey goment claim contribute to violence and killings within di southeast region.
At di trial, di prosecution lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, introduce one second witness, Mr. BBB, whose real name was withheld, to provide further evidence against Kanu. Di witness, a DSS officer involved in di investigation, explain how di former Attorney General of di Federation, Abubakar Malami, write letter to di Director General of di DSS accusing Kanu of “conspiracy, murder, arson, and persistent killings of security operatives” on June 10, 2021.
Di court admit di letter as evidence along with a flash drive presented by Awomolo, wey carry video recordings of Kanu’s broadcasts, particularly one from December 12, 2020. For dat video, Kanu announce di establishment of di Eastern Security Network (ESN) and call for actions against di southeastern governors, saying “we don wait for di governors but since dem no wan do am, we dey take am into our hands to do am.”
In di video, an alleged voice of Kanu encourage followers to prepare weapons and attack police personnel, saying, “And anyone una kill, make una cut off im head so dat dem go go to hell.” He also allegedly offer N100 million to anyone who could kill a certain governor.
Di prosecution continue to present more recordings wey show Kanu allegedly instructing followers to carry out attacks, including burning down government buildings and preparing for ambushes against security operatives. One of di recordings allegedly features Kanu say, “evry Federal government building for Lagos suppose dey on fire.”
Dis evidence dey suggest that Kanu’s calls for violence and rebellion are linked to tragic events, including di killing of former presidential adviser Ahmed Gulak on di same day Kanu declared a sit-at-home order. Mr. BBB testify dat many of di killings in di southeast connect back to Kanu’s broadcasts.
For di cross-examination on di second day of di trial, Kanu’s defense lawyer, Kanu Agabi, ask di DSS witnesses about di implies of di communications, stating, “dem no find any instrument of terrorism on Kanu wen dem arrest am in 2015,” affirming dat Kanu was arrested without any weapons or tools of violence.
Kanu himself maintain that he no get authority over di people of di southeast, claiming, “If I get dat kain authority ova dem, I no for dey call for referendum.” He deny all allegations of incitement to violence, insisting dat di public’s actions are no directly connected to him.
Justice James Omotosho adjourn di case to May 14, 21, and 22 for further hearing, following di long and complicated journey of di trial, which has dragged on for nearly ten years. Kanu, whose IPOB group has been declared a terrorist organization by di Nigerian government, dey face grave accusations wey could lead to severe penalties if found guilty.
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