Kanu Admitted Smuggling Radio Biafra Transmitter into Nigeria”—DSS Witness Tells Court

A Department of State Services (DSS) operative, testifying as a prosecution witness, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), admitted to smuggling a radio transmitter into Nigeria to broadcast pro-Biafra messages.

The operative, identified only as “CCC” for security reasons, made the disclosure before Justice James Omotosho as the third prosecution witness (PW-3) in the ongoing terrorism trial of Kanu.

Earlier in the proceedings, the DSS had tendered audio recordings of Kanu’s Radio Biafra broadcasts through its second prosecution witness (PW-2). The recordings, dating back to 2020, featured Kanu allegedly inciting violence and calling for the killing of prominent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Led in evidence by the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, CCC testified that Kanu installed the radio transmitter in Ubuluisiuzor, a community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. The witness further identified a video of DSS operatives inspecting the transmitter at the said location and claimed Kanu admitted to smuggling it into the country.

The court admitted several video recordings presented by the DSS into evidence. These videos also formed part of the defence’s challenge that Kanu’s written statements were not made voluntarily. According to CCC, Kanu had confessed to being the leader of IPOB, a group designated as a terrorist organisation by Nigerian authorities, and to founding Radio Biafra, which he allegedly used to incite violence.

CCC said he first met Kanu in October 2015 when he was part of a four-man team tasked with interviewing him and obtaining statements. The interview sessions, which took place between October 21 and 24, 2015, were recorded on video with Kanu’s consent. The defendant later wrote several statements.

Though Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, did not oppose the admission of the video evidence, he objected to the admission of Kanu’s written statements, arguing that they were not made voluntarily. Awomolo countered the objection, prompting Justice Omotosho to call for a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements.

During a brief break in proceedings, defence counsel Paul Erokoro, SAN, conferred with Kanu in the dock. Erokoro later told the court that Kanu claimed DSS operatives denied him access to his lawyers, threatened to withhold his bail, and limited his outdoor time despite his health issues.

Kanu also alleged that the DSS attempted to coerce him into making statements against former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.

In the trial-within-trial, CCC—now identified as “TCCC”—was the first witness for the prosecution. He denied all allegations of coercion, saying Kanu was treated respectfully, served bottled water, and was never subjected to duress.

TCCC expressed surprise at the allegations and denied that Kanu was asked to implicate any former public officials. He said Kanu voluntarily confirmed his earlier interview with Sahara Reporters during which he referred to Nigeria as a “zoo” and accused Okorocha and others of islamising the country. He also reportedly made derogatory remarks about then-President Muhammadu Buhari.

Three video recordings from the 2015 interview were played in court. In the footage, Kanu appeared calm, dressed in a shirt and trousers, and interacting freely with DSS officials. He was even seen smiling and requesting a specific brand of bottled water, which was provided.

Kanu justified his past broadcasts during the recorded interviews, stating that they were aimed at bringing change to Nigeria. He said IPOB was formed to pursue the self-determination of the Biafran people and likened the Biafra Volunteer Force to the Salvation Army—a group of volunteers spreading IPOB’s message.

Under cross-examination, TCCC maintained that Kanu was never mistreated and that all his concerns were addressed.

However, Kanu, while testifying as the sole defence witness in the trial-within-trial, stood by his claims. He alleged that he was shackled, blindfolded during transport from Lagos to Abuja, and held in solitary confinement in an underground DSS cell. He further claimed that the video recordings shown in court had been edited.

During cross-examination by Awomolo, Kanu admitted that the DSS interviews gave him the opportunity to explain IPOB’s objectives, structure, and finances. He also acknowledged receiving medical attention from DSS doctors, saying, “They have a good doctor there.”

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until May 29 at 12 noon for the adoption of final written addresses by both parties. Ruling on the trial-within-trial is expected by 2:00 p.m. the same day.