The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted into evidence three video recordings, one of which shows Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), inspecting a radio transmitter allegedly smuggled into Nigeria.

The videos were presented by the prosecution during the resumed hearing of Kanu’s terrorism trial, which includes a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of statements he made in 2015. Kanu claims the statements, taken in October and November of that year, were made under duress.

According to the third prosecution witness—an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) identified as Mr. CCC—the transmitter, labeled “Tram 50L,” was located at Ubuluisiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. Mr. CCC also denied allegations that DSS operatives used threats of solitary confinement to coerce Kanu into making confessions.

Kanu had alleged that a DSS officer named Mr. Brown threatened him with detention in a “dungeon.” However, the witness stated that only three officers—James, Ibrahim, and Collins—conducted the interrogation, and none of them bore that name.

Mr. CCC testified that Kanu received what he described as “presidential treatment” while in custody, and expressed surprise over the defendant’s claims of intimidation. He said Kanu voluntarily made several statements, including calling former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari unprintable names and accusing Senator Rochas Okorocha of “Islamizing” his people.

The statements in question were allegedly made during a 2015 interview with Sahara Reporters, a US-based online platform. The prosecution also played footage where Kanu referred to Nigeria as a “Zoo” and admitted to being the founder and director of Radio Biafra.

The court is examining three written statements made by Kanu on October 23, 24, and November 4, 2015, alongside video recordings of oral statements dated October 21 and 23, 2015. The admissibility of these documents is being challenged by the defence on grounds of coercion.

Presiding over the matter, Justice James Omotosho ruled that a trial-within-trial was necessary under the Evidence Act whenever involuntariness is alleged. He emphasized that any statement found to have been obtained under duress would be rendered inadmissible.

Justice Omotosho also noted that the court would rule on whether the absence of Kanu’s legal counsel during the statement-taking process affects the credibility of the evidence.

During the proceedings, Kanu took the stand to testify that he was struck by a DSS operative upon his arrest in Lagos in 2015. He added that the operative later apologized while they were en route to Abuja.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, May 29, for continuation of hearing and a ruling on the admissibility of the disputed statements.