By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
At the resumed terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja, a key prosecution witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) testified that the DSS was not involved in the controversial arrest of the IPOB leader in Kenya.
The DSS official, under cross-examination by defence counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN), firmly stated:
“I was not part of those who arrested Kanu in Kenya,”
adding that the DSS “does not engage in foreign operations.” This counters claims that the Nigerian government illegally abducted Kanu from Kenya in 2021.
When asked whether political figures influenced the DSS, the witness maintained the agency’s neutrality, stating that the DSS operates strictly under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and not under any political pressure.
He acknowledged that Kanu was the founder of Radio Biafra but said he was unaware whether the station had ceased operations. On the topic of Biafra, the witness denied its legitimacy as a political entity, saying:
“Biafra has never been a recognised entity anywhere in Nigeria.”
Defence counsel presented three judgments from Nigerian courts that declared Kanu’s arrest and detention unlawful. The witness responded:
“I read about them online and in the newspapers.”
The judgments, delivered between 2022 and 2023 by courts in Abia and Enugu states, were admitted into evidence.
The defence suggested that Kanu only called for self-defence by his followers, not violence. In response, the DSS officer said:
“I am not aware of any law in Nigeria that allows anybody to kill a fellow human.”
He also admitted he wasn’t aware of any official directive or statement from the DSS Director General authorising self-defence among citizens. Furthermore, when asked about former Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma’s comments on military bias in security operations, the witness acknowledged being aware of the statement.
The court session also touched on alleged misconduct by a member of Kanu’s defence team, Alloy Ejimakor, over his social media activity. The prosecution accused Ejimakor of misrepresenting court proceedings, which they said were being streamed live by some individuals. Lead defence lawyer Kanu Agabi (SAN) expressed concern, while the judge warned:
“Most of these things are gross misconduct for which you could be disbarred… Let us act well.”
Despite earlier allocating time for cross-examination to conclude, defence lawyer Erokoro requested an adjournment to allow time to present video recordings. This drew an objection from the prosecution, but the judge granted the request with a stern warning:
“The court will deem the defence to have closed its cross-examination… should they fail to conclude on May 22.”
The trial continues today, with the defence expected to present video evidence and conclude questioning of the second prosecution witness.
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