The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday admitted a radio transmitter allegedly smuggled into Nigeria by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as part of the evidence against him.
A Department of State Services (DSS) operative, identified in court only as DDD for security reasons, testified that the transmitter was concealed in a 20-foot container labelled as household items. The equipment, he said, was brought into the country without any declaration to the Nigeria Customs Service.
According to DDD, the transmitter was later found in the home of one Benjamin Madubougu in Ihiala, Anambra State. “Kanu used the transmitter to incite violence and broadcast secessionist messages through Radio Biafra,” the operative told the court while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo.
The court also admitted a certified copy of a search warrant issued by the Ihiala Chief Magistrate Court dated October 28, 2015. A video clip, showing Kanu inspecting the transmitter and describing it as a “game changer and nuclear weapon for Biafra,” was played in open court despite objections by the defence team led by Onyechi Ikpeazu.
The DSS witness stated, “Our unit monitored and recorded Kanu’s broadcasts. Many of them encouraged violence and threatened national unity.”
One flash drive, containing 18 videos and 16 audio recordings from Radio Biafra, was submitted and accepted by the court. In one of the broadcasts, Kanu allegedly referred to southeast leaders as “fools, vagabonds and idiots,” and declared a sit-at-home for May 31, 2021.
Kanu was heard saying, “If you come out on the 31st, you are going to die. And if the zoo army tries anything, they will be confronted.”
The DSS witness testified that this threat had severe consequences. “The sit-at-home order paralyzed economic activity in the region and was enforced by IPOB’s militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN),” DDD added.
Additionally, a written statement by Madubougu, admitting Kanu provided no customs documents for the transmitter’s import, was submitted as evidence.
Another document—a newspaper article in which an alleged ESN member claimed Kanu ordered the collection of 2,000 human heads for burial rites—was also admitted despite the defence’s objections. Only 30 heads were reportedly collected.
The prosecution also requested that the court inspect the 20-foot container held at the DSS facility. The request was granted, and the inspection—attended by journalists—was carried out. Following this, Justice James Omotosho admitted the transmitter as ‘Exhibit Y’ and the container as ‘Exhibit Z’.
The judge then adjourned the case to June 18, 19, and 20 for continuation, during which the prosecution is expected to close its case.
