A Federal Government witness testified at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, admitting that no terrorism-related materials or weapons were found on Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People’s of Biafra (IPOB) during his October 15, 2015 arrest in Lagos.
The witness, who is an operative of the Department of the State Service (DSS) and codenamed PWAAA, also told the court no arms of public disturbance was recovered from the lady arrested along with Kanu.
During cross-examination by Kanu’s counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), before Justice James Omotosho, the witness said the items seized from the hotel room were Kanu’s personal belongings.
He, however, said while the recovered items may not be inherently offensive, the defendant’s intentions might be different.
PWAAA also told the court that he did not analyze any of the items because his mandate was to effect arrest and obtain statement from Kanu.
In response to questioning, the DSS operative admitted to analyzing the defendant’s cell phone but revealed that the analysis report was not presented in court, deeming it irrelevant.
The witness acknowledged that the impounded items, having been held for 10 years, might have depreciated in value and become useless.
He also clarified that he did not present any witnesses to confront Kanu on terrorism-related matters.
The witness further admitted that Kanu’s statement was taken without his lawyer present and that no statements were collected from other individuals.
He also conceded that he was unaware of any person being prosecuted by the federal government specifically for advocating Biafra nation actualization.
According to him, the one he knew is Simon Ekpa who he said, would soon be brought to the country for trial for supporting Kanu on the agitation.
The witness said that he read in the newspapers and social media those backing the defendant on the agitation.
He stated that he could not recall Kanu mentioning concerns about high-level corruption, youth unemployment, or offering apologies to the President for insults and negative comments about Igbo leaders.
The witness added that he could not recall Kanu describing IPOB as a voluntary organization not involved in armed activities against the nation.
He acknowledged that killings had occurred in certain parts of the country, particularly in the North, but asserted that the government had been making efforts to curb the violence.
PWAAA also stated that he would not know if the killings were connected to the self-determination movement.
The items recovered from Kanu and admitted as exhibits are 1 black laptop, 2 multi mix transmitters, 1 mini white Apple iPad with pouch, 1 grey Apple iPad with pouch, 1 grey MacBook with pouch, 1 grey MacBook with case, 1 mini drone sound wave speaker, 2 mini white speakers, 1 large computer mouse, 1 white adaptor, 1 laptop adaptor and1 carton bag with laptop.
Others are 2 3G modems, 2 Glo modems, 1 Glo Hawaii modem, 1 MTN modem, 1 Etisalat modem, 1 Flash drive, 1 Camcorder, 1 Hand recorder in a black pouch, 1 MacBook Pro adaptor, 1 Mic stand, 1 Phillips headphone, 1 Radio Sharp mic with cord, 1 Pro sound mic with cord, 1 4G LTE modem, a bunch of cards, 1 Power adaptor for mixer, 1 Easy Blaze white modem, 1 Samsung phone,1 Black Motorola phone and1 Nokia phone.
Also found on him are 1 Black Samsung phone, 1 Black phone, 1 D-Link black modem, 1 8GB flash drive, 1 Extension wire adaptor, 1 Pair of shoes, 1 Belt, 1 Pair of ciderwood sneakers and1 Footwear.
Other items are 1 Black Softech wristwatch, 2 Singlets, 1 Sealed Hermes perfume, 1 Trinket, 1 Pokham perfume, 1 Fredrick Peckham wristwatch, 1 Diesel wristwatch, 1 Alexander Christy collection wristwatch, 1 Club wristwatch and 10 items altogether.
The last set are 3 Bank MasterCards, Copies of documents, 1 Copy of IPOB complementary card, Documents tagged IPOB, 1 White clipper,1 Bottle of medicine, 1 Oman perfume, 2 Mini scented oils, 1 Empty black purse, 1 Nigerian passport bearing the names Okwu Kanu Nwannekaibeya Nnamdi Ngozichukwu and1 British passport bearing the name Okwu Kanu Nwannekaibeya, 1 Black purse, 1 Passport holder, 1 Card holder, 1 Box of Rocarden wristwatch and 4 Bundles of cords.
Meanwhile, Justice Omotosho has scheduled May 6, 7 and 8 for the continuation of cross-examination as agreed by the lawyers.
Persecondnews recalls that Kanu has been in DSS detention in Abuja since he was rearrested in Kenya and subjected to extraordinary rendition back to Nigeria on June 27, 2021.
He was allegedly arrested by Kenyan security operatives in collaboration with Nigerian authorities.
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