A prosecution witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday that no weapon of terrorism or violence was found on Nnamdi Kanu at the time of his arrest in Lagos on October 15, 2015.
Testifying under the pseudonym “PWAAA,” the DSS operative also said that no items capable of causing public disturbance were recovered from a woman who was arrested alongside the Biafra separatist leader.
During cross-examination by Kanu’s lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), the witness stated that all items seized from Kanu were his personal belongings. While he acknowledged that none of the items were inherently offensive, he suggested that the intent behind them could have been otherwise.
The DSS operative said his role was limited to arresting Kanu and obtaining his statement, and that he did not personally analyze any of the recovered items. Though he admitted examining Kanu’s mobile phone, he said the analysis report was not presented in court because it was deemed irrelevant.
When questioned about the value of the items a decade after their seizure, the witness conceded that they may have lost their usefulness.
He also told the court that Kanu’s statement was obtained in the absence of legal counsel, and no confrontation was arranged with any individual regarding terrorism allegations.
The witness further admitted he was unaware of anyone prosecuted solely for advocating the creation of a Biafra nation, except for Simon Ekpa, who he said may soon face trial for allegedly supporting Kanu’s cause. He added that his knowledge of Kanu’s supporters came from media reports.
Under cross-examination, PWAAA said he could not recall Kanu speaking on issues such as corruption, youth unemployment, or offering apologies to the President or Igbo leaders. He also claimed he could not remember Kanu describing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a voluntary, non-violent organization.
While acknowledging that killings had occurred in parts of the country, particularly the North, he maintained that the government was working to address the situation. However, he could not confirm whether those killings were connected to self-determination efforts.
Items admitted as exhibits in court included multiple electronic gadgets, modems, mobile phones, microphones, recording equipment, personal accessories, perfumes, wristwatches, documents—including IPOB-related materials—and Nigerian and British passports bearing Kanu’s names.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to May 6, 7, and 8 for the continuation of cross-examination, following an agreement by counsel on both sides.
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