A Department of State Services (DSS) operative testified at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday that no weapon of terrorism or violence was recovered from Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), during his arrest on October 15, 2015, in Lagos. The witness, identified only by the code name PWAAA, also confirmed that no arms or objects capable of causing public disturbance were found on the woman arrested alongside Kanu.
During cross-examination by Kanu’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kanu Agabi, PWAAA stated that all the items seized were personal belongings of Kanu. While acknowledging that the items themselves may not be inherently offensive, the witness suggested that Kanu’s intentions with them could be different. However, he admitted that he did not analyze the items because his role was limited to effecting the arrest and obtaining a statement from Kanu.
The witness further revealed that although he analyzed Kanu’s cell phone, the report of this analysis was not submitted to the court, as it was deemed immaterial. He also acknowledged that the items seized had been impounded for nearly ten years, during which they may have lost their value and usefulness.
Importantly, PWAAA admitted that no one was brought before Kanu to confront him with any terrorism-related allegations during the arrest process. He also confirmed that Kanu’s statement was recorded without the presence of his lawyer, raising questions about the procedure followed.
The items recovered from Kanu and admitted as exhibits in court included a wide array of electronic devices and personal effects: laptops (including Black and Grey MacBooks), multiple modems (3G, 4G LTE, Glo, MTN, Etisalat), mobile phones (Samsung, Motorola, Nokia), flash drives, sound equipment such as microphones and speakers, a mini drone sound wave speaker, various adaptors, and a carton bag containing laptops.
Other personal items found included shoes, wristwatches from brands like Hermes and Diesel, perfumes, clothing items, multiple bank MasterCards, documents, and identification cards including an IPOB complementary card. Notably, both Nigerian and British passports bearing Kanu’s full names were recovered, along with purses, a passport holder, and bundles of cords.
The testimony challenges the government’s narrative that Kanu was found with weapons of terrorism at the time of his arrest, a key point in the ongoing trial. The case continues to unfold as the court examines the evidence and testimonies related to Kanu’s activities and the legitimacy of his arrest.
Further details are expected as the trial progresses.
