Sh*ck In Court: DSS Witness Alleges Kanu Confessed To Smuggling Radio Transmitter

A prosecution witness in the trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu testified on Wednesday that Kanu admitted to smuggling a radio transmitter into Nigeria. The witness, an official from the Department of State Services (DSS), presented a video recording showing the transmitter in Ubuluisiuzor, Anambra State, which was submitted as evidence in the case.

The witness explained that the video, stored on a disc, was among approximately four videos admitted as evidence during the trial. The DSS official also rejected claims that Kanu was forced or coerced into making incriminating statements against former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha.

As the third prosecution witness (PW3), the DSS official testified that he participated in interviewing Kanu between October 21 and 24, 2015, and that these interviews were recorded on video. He maintained that Kanu’s statements were made voluntarily, without any coercion, and that the interrogations were conducted professionally, with Kanu provided bottled water and treated respectfully.

Kanu’s lawyer, SAN Kanu Agabi, objected to the admission of these statements, arguing they were not voluntary. This objection led Justice James Omotosho to pause proceedings briefly, allowing Kanu’s lawyer Paul Erokoro (SAN) to consult with him.

After the meeting, Erokoro informed the court that Kanu alleged DSS officials had denied him access to his lawyer, threatened to withhold bail, and refused to grant him the one hour of outdoor exercise he was entitled to for health reasons. Kanu also claimed that his interrogators pressured him into making false statements about former President Jonathan and Governor Okorocha.

The DSS witness denied these allegations, insisting that Kanu was not coerced and that no forced statements were made. He explained that Kanu was questioned about a prior interview with Sahara Reporters in which he made critical remarks about Nigeria and some political figures.

During the trial, three video recordings of Kanu’s interviews with DSS officials were played, showing him interacting freely and appearing relaxed, even smiling and requesting a specific brand of bottled water that was promptly provided.

In these interviews, Kanu justified his actions, including controversial broadcasts, explaining that the IPOB movement sought self-determination for the people of Biafra and that the Biafra Volunteer Force was a group promoting IPOB’s messages.

During cross-examination by Erokoro, the prosecution’s sole witness in the trial-within-trial reiterated that Kanu had not been coerced and that all his complaints had been addressed.

However, when testifying as the sole defense witness in the trial-within-trial, Kanu maintained that he was denied access to his legal team and threatened by a DSS investigator identified as Mr. Brown Ukuaba, an Assistant Director of Investigation. He also claimed that upon his arrest in Lagos in 2015, he was chained and blindfolded during transport to Abuja, held in solitary confinement underground, and that the video recordings presented in court had been edited.