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The Department of State Services (DSS) has alleged that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), used his broadcasts to incite unrest in the South-East, leading to enforced sit-at-home orders and subsequent economic disruption across the region.
This revelation emerged on Friday during ongoing court proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho. A DSS operative, who testified under the pseudonym “DDD” for security reasons, provided detailed evidence while being led in examination by the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.
According to the operative, Kanu’s inflammatory broadcasts not only incited IPOB followers but also triggered the militant wing of the group, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to enforce the sit-at-home orders through threats and acts of violence.
“Based on my investigations, the defendant’s broadcasts had a direct link to the enforcement of the sit-at-home order, which consequently led to the economic paralysis of the South-East region,” the witness told the court.
The DSS further alleged that Kanu clandestinely imported a radio transmitter into Nigeria, which he used to broadcast his secessionist messages. The transmitter, the court heard, was smuggled in concealed within household appliances to avoid detection by security agents and customs officers. It was reportedly hidden at the residence of one Benjamin Madubougu in Ihiala, Anambra State.
The witness stated, “The transmitter was not declared to the Nigeria Customs Service. During a search operation carried out on Benjamin’s property—backed by a warrant—we recovered the transmitter along with firearms, live cartridges, Indian hemp, Biafran currency, and other items.”
To support this claim, the prosecution tendered a Certified True Copy of the search warrant issued by the Ihiala Chief Magistrate Court on October 28, 2015. The court admitted it into evidence without objection.
A video was also played in the courtroom, showing Kanu inspecting the transmitter and describing it as a “game changer” and a “nuclear weapon” for Biafra. In the footage, he reportedly issued threats, warning residents of the South-East not to violate the sit-at-home directive slated for May 31, 2021, or face violent consequences.
Additionally, the prosecution submitted a flash drive containing 18 video clips and 16 audio recordings of Kanu’s broadcasts. These were admitted into evidence despite resistance from the defence team, which was led by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN.
The court also received a statement from Madubougu in which he admitted that the imported transmitter had no customs clearance or documentation provided by Kanu.
In a further development, the prosecution presented a copy of a Vanguard newspaper publication. The article included claims from an alleged ESN member who said that Kanu instructed the group to collect 2,000 human heads for traditional burial rituals, although only 30 were reportedly obtained. Despite objections by the defence, the article was accepted as evidence, accompanied by a certificate of compliance.
Following these submissions, the prosecution requested that the court conduct a physical inspection of the container housing the transmitter and other related materials currently stored at the DSS facility within the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Justice Omotosho granted the request without opposition and announced that the court would proceed to inspect the items in question.
The judge emphasised that in the pursuit of justice, the court must thoroughly assess all presented evidence before reaching any conclusions. The case was subsequently adjourned to allow time for the inspection.