A Department of State Services (DSS) operative testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu was treated with “presidential” care while in custody, contradicting his claims of coercion.
At the resumed session of his alleged terrorism trial, the DSS operative, identified as Mr CCC, the third prosecution witness, dismissed accusations that threats of solitary confinement were used to force Kanu into making statements during interrogation sessions in 2015.
“Mr CCC stated that Kanu was given presidential treatment,” the report noted, “and expressed shock at the allegations of using any form of force to get him to make certain statements including calling Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari unprintable names, and also alleging that Senator Rochas Okorocha ‘Islamised’ his people.”
Kanu had alleged that a DSS operative, referred to as Mr Brown, threatened him with solitary confinement in a “dungeon” if he refused to cooperate.
However, the DSS witness disputed this, stating:
“The names of the officers who took part in the interview are James, Ibrahim, and Collins, with no Mr Brown among them.”
The court also admitted into evidence three videos during the hearing. One of the videos reportedly shows Kanu inspecting a radio transmitter that was allegedly smuggled into the country.
These videos were presented to support the prosecution’s claim that Kanu made his statements voluntarily.
The statements in question were made at the DSS headquarters on October 23, 24, and November 4, 2015, and also include video recordings of oral statements from October 21 and 23, 2015.
Kanu is said to have made some of these statements during an interview with Sahara Reporters, a U.S.-based online media outlet.
“These are statements he allegedly made when he granted an interview with a US-based online medium known as Sahara Reporters. It was during the same interview that, according to the witness, Kanu used the term ‘Zoo’ to refer to Nigeria.”
In the courtroom, Justice James Omotosho ordered a trial-within-trial to assess whether the defendant’s statements were made under duress or voluntarily.
“It is law that whenever an issue of involuntariness is raised, the Evidence Act and the law requires that an order for trial within trial be made to determine whether a statement was taken under duress or otherwise,” Justice Omotosho said.
“Establishing duress will therefore make the statement in contention inadmissible.”
Justice Omotosho further clarified that the court will also decide whether the absence of Kanu’s legal team at certain points in the proceedings impacts the credibility of his claims.
In one of the video clips played in court, the IPOB leader allegedly confirmed his role in the separatist movement.
“In the three footage played in court by the prosecution to prove that Nnamdi Kanu made his statements voluntarily, the Biafra nation agitator admitted to being the founder and director of Radio Biafra.”
“In one of the footage, Kanu claimed that the Biafra cause enjoyed funding across the globe from all those who believe in the ideals of the secessionist agenda.”
“He claimed the group has representatives in over 80 countries.”
During the trial-within-trial, Kanu also took the witness stand to give his version of events. He told the court he had been physically assaulted during his arrest.
“The defendant claimed, in his testimony, that he was struck by a DSS operative when he was picked up in Lagos in 2015. But the same operative later apologised on their way to the airport to Abuja.”
Following the day’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to Thursday, May 29, 2025, for continuation of the trial and a ruling on the admissibility of the contested statements.
