Court admits Kanu's 'inciting broadcasts, videos' as exhibits
A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu told a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday that the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Leader admitted making a broadcast in which he called for the killing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
The witness, an official of the Department of State Services (DSS), said Kanu also confirmed offering N100 million bounty for Wike’s head and ordering the burning of Tinubu’s assets and Federal Government properties in Lagos.
He explained that the IPOB leader made the confirmations while his statement was being taken on July 17, 2021.
The witness, who is the second (PW2) since the trial commenced a week ago, was simply identified as BBB. He was led in evidence by the prosecuting Lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo.
BBB told the court that he took statements from Kanu. He was permitted to play some recordings of the defendant’s broadcast on Radio Biafra, inciting his followers to engage in violence and killings.
Shortly after the witness identified copies of Kanu’s broadcast on a flash drive, the court admitted it in evidence.
The court also admitted a June 10, 2021, letter of complaint by a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, to the DSS, demanding an investigation of the alleged terror activities by Kanu and his followers.
In the letter read by BBB, Malami accused Kanu of encouraging the commission of a series of crimes, including killings and destruction of public property
The letter cited some broadcasts by Kanu where he instructed IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) members to attack and kill security personnel and prominent individuals.
The former minister also claimed, among others, that Kanu’s broadcasts incited his followers to kill a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Gulak, and the burning of a house belonging to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.
The broadcasts/recordings, seven in all, were played in the court.
In the first, Kanu, who wore a black blazer, white shirt, black tie and a red beret, was seen making different pronouncements, including ESN’s formation.
In the broadcast made December 12, 2020 , the IPOB leader said, like the Amotekun Corps in Southwest and Miyeti Allah in the North , the ESN is intended to serve as vigilante outfit to safeguard the Southeast.
Towards the end of it, Kanu called on his followers to kill Wike for allegedly offering N50 million bounty for the head of a Biafran.
The IPOB boss stated that the FCT minister does not deserve to live. He also threatened that such treatment would be visited on any governor who presides over the killings of his people.
The second broadcast was made by Kanu on October 20, 2020. In it, he directed his followers, during the End SARS protests, to cause mayhem in Lagos and to kill Tinubu, whom he described as a traitor and an evil man who should be taught a lesson.
He urged his supporters to burn every Federal Government’s property in Lagos, including the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, NITEL House in Marina and all police stations.
The IPOB leader also told his followers to kill police personnel and other security agents. He equally ordered that “Tinubu’s hotel must be burnt down’’ and that he ‘’should not be allowed to escape.”
In the course of the broadcast, one of his followers called in and demanded to be assisted with guns. In response, Kanu encouraged the caller to enlist in what he called the Volunteer Force where he would have access guns.
In the third broadcast, Kanu announced that he was placing N100 million bounty on Wike’s head and encouraged his followers to “take Wike down.”
Kanu said: “N100m for anyone who can take Wike down. Dead or alive, Wike is N100m. I will pay cash. Take down Wike, I will pay you cash.
“The bounty on Wike’s head is N100m. Get me his head, you will get N100m. Wike offered N50m for the head of a Biafran.”
In the fourth which he made on May 30, 2021, Kanu declared a “total lock down” of the Southeast on May 31, 2021. He directed that there should be no businesses and that places of worship must be shut in memory of those who died in the struggle for Biafra.
The IPOB leader said: “Do not come outside tomorrow (May 31, 2021) if you value your life. I don’t care whoever you are, you must stay at home or you will regret it.No vehicles should be allowed to move.”
In the fifth , he among others, directed his followers to kill soldiers, adding that there are guns in Edo State that should be used to kill soldiers.
Kanu was shown in the sixth recording addressing a gathering in the United States(US) soliciting for guns and ammunition.
When asked by Awomolo what Kanu was saying in the video, the PW2 said he was soliciting guns to fight the Nigerian state, but the people he was addressing were cautioning him.
In the seventh broadcast, Kanu urged other tribes in the country to learn from the experience of the Hausa, who he claimed have been subjugated by the Fulani. He advised that Fulani invasion must be resisted.
After that was played, Awomolo applied to tender a copy of a recording made during Kanu’s statement writing session. It was consequently admitted by the court.
The Prosecution counsel then applied for an adjournment till another day when the video recording would be played in the court.
Kanu’s Lawyer , Emeka Etiaba (SAN), who spoke for Kanu, did not object.
Following that Justice James Omotosho adjourned till today.
