“I Was Forced to Make Confessional Statements Under Duress,” Nnamdi Kanu Tells Court

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), told the court that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) forced him to make confessional statements under duress following his arrest in 2015. Speaking during proceedings on Wednesday, Kanu made the claims after the prosecution called its third witness, identified only as CCC, who said he was part of the DSS team that investigated Kanu.

The witness testified that Kanu was interviewed multiple times between October and November 2015, with the sessions recorded on video and statements written by Kanu after each interview. The prosecution presented two video recordings and three written statements as evidence. Initially, the defence did not object to these exhibits, but later, senior advocate Paul Erokoro raised concerns after Kanu informed him that the statements were made under threat.

Kanu’s lawyers argued that DSS officers denied him access to legal counsel, threatened to withhold bail, and restricted his medically recommended daily hour of fresh air. In response, the presiding judge ordered a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether Kanu’s statements were made voluntarily.

During this mini-trial, the DSS witness maintained that Kanu wrote the statements willingly. However, Kanu testified that from the moment of his arrest in Lagos, he was handcuffed, blindfolded, and transported to Abuja without knowing his destination. He described being held in solitary confinement without light, where an assistant director of investigations, Mr. Brown, threatened him to cooperate or remain isolated. Kanu also said that due to his poor health, he was supposed to get one hour outside his cell for fresh air daily, but Mr. Brown threatened to revoke this privilege if he did not comply.

Kanu further claimed some parts of the video interviews shown in court were edited and insisted the DSS operatives directed him to write the statements. After closing arguments, the judge instructed both parties to submit their written addresses by May 29. The court is expected to rule on the trial-within-a-trial the following day.