A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has been told that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), allegedly brought a radio transmitter into Nigeria without proper customs declaration, concealing it among household items.
Testifying before the court as the fourth prosecution witness, an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), known as Mister DDD, alleged that the transmitter was hidden at the Ihiala, Anambra residence of one Benjamin Madubougu. The witness said it was imported into the country without being declared to the Nigeria Customs Service.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the DSS operative told the court that the device was used by Kanu to deliver broadcasts encouraging violence and separatist agitation.
“He used the transmitter to incite unrest and to disseminate messages promoting secession,” the witness testified.
The court admitted several pieces of evidence, including a search warrant issued on October 28, 2015, by the Ihiala Chief Magistrate Court, and a video clip where Kanu allegedly referred to the transmitter as a “nuclear weapon for Biafra.”
In the video, played in court despite resistance from the defence team led by Senior Advocate Onyechi Ikpeazu, Kanu was heard warning residents of the South-East to obey a sit-at-home directive scheduled for May 31, 2021. He allegedly threatened consequences for those who disobeyed.
“From my investigation, the broadcast directly contributed to economic paralysis in the South-East,” the DSS officer said. “It fueled the enforcement of IPOB’s sit-at-home order by its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).”
Among the evidence submitted were a flash drive containing 18 videos and 16 radio broadcasts linked to Kanu, which the court accepted. Also presented was a statement by Benjamin Madubougu acknowledging that no customs documentation was provided for the imported transmitter.
In a controversial development, a newspaper article was also admitted into evidence. The publication quoted an alleged ESN member claiming Kanu had ordered the collection of 2,000 human heads for burial rites—though only 30 were reportedly retrieved. Despite objections from the defence, the court accepted the article along with a certificate of compliance.
The prosecution further requested the court to inspect a container believed to have held the transmitter and other items, which remains in DSS custody. Justice James Omotoso approved the visit and later conducted brief proceedings at the DSS facility, formally admitting the container and the transmitter as exhibits PWY and PWZ, respectively.
“The court must examine all evidence thoroughly in pursuit of justice,” the judge said, before adjourning the case until June 18, 19, and 20. The prosecution is expected to conclude its presentation during the next sittings.
