DSS Witness Claims Nnamdi Kanu’s Broadcasts Led To K!lling Of Ex-President Jonathan’s Ex-Aide, Retired Judge, Others

DSS Witness Claims Nnamdi Kanu’s Broadcasts Led To Killing Of Ex-President Jonathan’s Ex-Aide, Retired Judge, Others

The witness identified himself as an official of the Department of State Services (DSS), testifying as the second prosecution witness in Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial.

Aprosecution witness presented by the Nigerian government in the ongoing trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Abuja, that Kanu’s broadcasts allegedly led to the killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former Senior Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

 

The witness identified himself as an official of the Department of State Services (DSS), testifying as the second prosecution witness in Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial.

 

He told the court that Kanu’s broadcasts also led to the killings of a retired judge, Justice Stanley Nnaji, as well as an intending military couple, Sergeant Audu Lucas and Private Glory Matthew.

 

The second prosecution witness who said he was part of the investigation team responding to complaints from the then Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said that Kanu’s orders had deadly consequences.

 

According to the witness, Kanu, in one broadcast, instructed his followers to enforce a sit-at-home order across South-Eastern states, leading to violent attacks on those who defied the order.

 

According to him, investigation revealed that Sergeant Lucas and Private Matthew were not only killed by those who were enforcing Kanu’s sit-at-home order, but they were also beheaded.

 

He further said that Gulak was killed by individuals enforcing the directive, who accused him of flouting the sit-at-home order by appearing in public on the specified day.

 

The witness also told the court that Kanu founded IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and led both groups.

 

The witness said, “We were also able to establish that he (Kanu) founded Radio Biafra through which he made inciting comments like the killing of police officers and burning of property.”

 

He told the court that Radio Biafra was not registered in Nigeria, and that Kanu’s broadcasts allegedly spurred the burning of police stations in Cele and Ilasa, Lagos.

 

According to the witness, around 100 luxury buses belonging to the Lagos State Government and part of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport were destroyed, following directives allegedly given by Kanu.

 

“He (Kanu) not only called for the killing of security officers, he called for them to be beheaded, which they (his followers) did,” the witness added.

 

The prosecution witness further told the court that Kanu’s agitation for Biafra aimed to secede the South-East states, along with parts of Benue and Kogi, from Nigeria.

 

The witness said Kanu “called for the establishment of the state of Biafra by any means possible, including war.”

 

The court session also featured a video recording of Kanu’s interrogation, during which he confirmed founding and leading IPOB and ESN.

 

Kanu, appearing relaxed with his lawyers, including Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s Special Counsel, denied direct involvement in the daily operations of the groups, saying they were run by state coordinators.

 

He also acknowledged making broadcasts during the EndSARS protests but distanced himself from the violence in Lagos.

 

According to him, the protest in Lagos during the EndSARS protest was outside the Biafran territory and that the destruction witnessed during the protest could not have been due to his broadcast.

 

Kanu also denied that IPOB was behind violent attacks in the South-East, reiterating, “IPOB is a peaceful movement. The IPOB is a non-violent movement.”

 

He defended the creation of ESN, citing the need to protect local communities.

 

He said, “If you look at what was happening in our land, that was what gave rise to ESN. If our people cannot go to the farm, and people are killed on their land, do you sit down and do nothing?

 

“People can no longer go to the farm; people can no longer carry out their economic activities.”

 

Kanu also criticised the 2017 military raid on his residence, which he said forced him to flee Nigeria.

 

He also objected to his arrest in Kenya and subsequent extradition.

 

Following the conclusion of the witness’ examination-in-chief, the defence counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN) sought an adjournment for cross-examination.

 

In his decision, Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case to May 14, 21, and 22 for continued trial.