Court Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial to Friday for Cross-Examination of FG Witness

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), until Friday to allow for the cross-examination of a prosecution witness presented by the Federal Government. Justice James Omotosho made the ruling after the Federal Government’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, led the first witness—identified as a Department of State Services (DSS) operative—through his testimony. The witness, who testified behind a protective screen, tendered a series of documents and video recordings related to Kanu’s arrest and interrogation. These materials were admitted as evidence without objection from Kanu’s lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.

The DSS operative, who has served for 18 years, recounted the 2015 operation in which Kanu was arrested at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Lagos. During the proceedings, the court played a video of Kanu’s DSS interrogation and read his October 15, 2015, statement in which he admitted founding Radio Biafra in London and acknowledged that the station was not registered with Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). In the same statement, Kanu said he was interrogated without his lawyer present and insisted that his activities were aimed at the peaceful emancipation of the people of the South East, South South, and parts of Benue and Kogi. He maintained that freedom fighting is a legitimate right and that he had not been linked to any acts of violence.

Four suitcases recovered during Kanu’s 2015 arrest, containing personal items and Radio Biafra equipment, were brought into court and admitted as evidence. The trial will resume on Friday for the defense team to cross-examine the witness.