Connect with us

News

Kanu’s trial: DSS submits Radio Biafra devices in court

Published

on

The terrorism and treason trial of the leader of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, opened on Tuesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja with the proseuction tendering several exhibits, including Radio Biafra equipment.

At the trial, Kanu maintained that he is not a violent person as alleged by the Federal Government.

Instead, he claimed that his fight is solely for the emancipation of the people in the South-East, South-South, and parts of Benue and Kogi states.

Kanu made the statement in a written document submitted to the Department of State Services on October 15, 2015, in Lagos.

The statement was read aloud in open court during the resumed hearing of his terrorism trial.

Advertisement

Kanu is facing seven counts of terrorism brought against him by the Federal Government.

He was first arrested on October 14, 2015, upon his return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom. He was granted bail in 2017 on health grounds after being detained at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

However, Kanu fled to the United Kingdom after his release, only to be re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and brought back to Nigeria, where he was detained by the DSS.

Initially facing 15 counts of terrorism and treason, eight charges were dropped by the trial court on April 8, 2022, for lack of merit.

In 2022, the Court of Appeal in Abuja ruled in Kanu’s favor, vacating the charges and ordering his release.

Advertisement

However, the Federal Government appealed to the Supreme Court, which, on December 15, 2023, reversed the Court of Appeal’s ruling and directed Kanu to return to trial on the remaining seven counts.

At Tuesday’s hearing, Federal Government counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), requested that the identities of witnesses be kept confidential due to security concerns and the sensitive nature of the case.

The court ruled that while Kanu must be able to see the witnesses, they would testify behind a screen to protect their identities.

Kanu’s defence team, led by Kanu Agabi (SAN) and supported by four senior advocates, did not object to the request.

They, however, sought reciprocal cooperation from the Federal Government regarding Kanu’s bail application.

Advertisement

The prosecution’s first witness, identified as Mr. A.A.A., an 18-year DSS operative, testified behind a screen, recounting the events of Kanu’s arrest at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Lagos on October 14, 2015.

He described how the DSS, acting on intelligence, initially had difficulty locating Kanu, as the hotel staff claimed he was not a guest.After receiving an order from their director, the DSS conducted a room-to-room search and found Kanu in Room 303 with a woman named Maria Ibezimakor.

Mr. A.A.A. stated that Kanu resisted arrest, head-butting one of the officers.

During the search, the DSS found a room resembling a broadcasting studio, containing various broadcasting equipment.

The items recovered, which included laptops, flash drives, microphones, mixers, pamphlets, and other materials linked to IPOB, were brought to court in four suitcases.

Advertisement

Kanu confirmed ownership of the equipment during interrogation, which was also admitted as evidence.

Mr. A.A.A. further testified that while they did not initially recover Kanu’s passport, the hotel manager brought the passports to their office the following morning.

The passports, bearing the name “Okwu-Kanu Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Ngozichukwu,” were also admitted as evidence.

The witness also revealed that Kanu had checked in under the name “Nwannekaenyi Ezebuiro” and that two other women were found in another room with the same name.

The DSS also played a CD of Kanu’s interrogation, which was recorded the following day.

Advertisement

In the video, Kanu confirmed that he was involved in the struggle for self-determination and that he had set up Radio Biafra.

He acknowledged that he had not registered the radio station with the National Broadcasting Commission because he did not expect to receive a license.

Kanu stressed that his actions were not violent and that freedom fighting is a fundamental right, as recognised by the United Nations Charter.

He emphasised that he had never been involved in any violent activity and had been interrogated by the DSS without legal representation, as required by law.

The court admitted both the statement and video clips as evidence.

Advertisement

The trial was adjourned to May 2 for cross-examination and to hear testimony from a second prosecution witness.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Stakeholders, Firm Seek Reforms to Boost Professionalism,

Published

on

By Our Reporter
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s real estate industry, alongside Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, have called for urgent reforms to strengthen professionalism, transparency, and investor confidence in the sector.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued on Monday in Enugu following the company’s 2026 Mid-Year Seminar/Luncheon, held on Friday, July 3, at Wendy’s Place. The seminar, themed “Next-Level Real Estate Practices,” brought together real estate developers, chief executive officers, realtors, marketers, investors, and other stakeholders from the South-East to examine emerging industry trends, challenges, and practical strategies for sustainable growth.
According to the communiqué, participants unanimously adopted several resolutions after extensive deliberations.
Among the key resolutions was a call for stronger government action against the multiple sale of land. Participants urged the Federal, State, and Local Governments to strengthen land administration policies and impose stringent sanctions on communities and individuals involved in the fraudulent sale of the same parcel of land to multiple buyers.
They noted that such practices continue to erode investor confidence, fuel land-related litigation, and discourage genuine investment in the real estate sector.
The stakeholders also stressed the need to promote professionalism and healthy competition within the industry. They maintained that competition should be driven by integrity, innovation, quality service delivery, and professionalism rather than unhealthy rivalry, misinformation, or actions capable of damaging the reputation of fellow practitioners.
They further encouraged industry leaders to embrace collaboration as a means of promoting collective growth and enhancing public confidence in the sector.
The communiqué also emphasised the importance of honesty and transparency in dealings with clients. Participants urged real estate practitioners to refrain from making false claims, exaggerating property values, misrepresenting estate locations or approvals, or giving unrealistic assurances merely to secure transactions.
They insisted that prospective buyers should be provided with accurate, verifiable, and complete information before making investment decisions.
On service delivery, the seminar called on real estate developers and chief executives to establish effective internal controls to eliminate the overselling or double allocation of plots. Developers were also urged to ensure prompt allocation of purchased lands and timely issuance of all necessary documentation.
According to the communiqué, efficient service delivery is critical to sustaining customer trust and improving the credibility of the industry.
The participants also called on government agencies, industry regulators, professional bodies, community leaders, developers, and practitioners to work together in building a transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly real estate environment that protects property buyers and supports sustainable national development.
Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical business practices, professional excellence, continuous capacity development, and responsible real estate investment in Nigeria.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Damian Ogudike and Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, directors of Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, on behalf of the company’s board. It was also drafted and endorsed by the seminar’s resource persons, Mrs. Amaka Dim of Exotic Landlady Estate and Miss Blessing Anene of BuildWise Solution Centre Estate.

Continue Reading

News

Families Homeless as Fire Razes Two-Storey Building in Enugu (Video)

Published

on

By Our Correspondent

ENUGU — Two families were left homeless on Saturday after a fire destroyed two flats in a two-storey building located at No. 22 Church Road, Asata, in Enugu metropolis.

The fire, which started at about 10 a.m., reportedly broke out after the occupants of the affected upper-floor flats had left for their daily activities.

Although the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, eyewitnesses said the inferno completely destroyed household items and other valuables in the affected apartments.

One of the victims, who returned home while the building was engulfed in flames, reportedly collapsed after seeing the extent of the damage. He was revived by sympathisers at the scene.

Advertisement

The victim, said to be an employee of one of the higher institutions in Enugu State and nearing retirement, lamented that years of hard work had been wiped out by the incident.

According to him, the fire destroyed all his household property, including important documents and certificates, leaving him with no option but to relocate his family to his ancestral home.

“All I have worked for all these years is gone,” he said in tears.

No life was lost in the incident, but residents appealed to the Enugu State Government, emergency management agencies and public-spirited individuals to come to the aid of the affected families, even as they urged the authorities to investigate the cause of the fire.

See video

Advertisement

Continue Reading

News

Nigeria students issue 4-day ultimatum to South African business interests to evacuate Nigeria

Published

on

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the apex students governing body, has issued a four days ultimatum to South African business interests to evacuate Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu by Comrade Amb. Bestman Okereafor, NANS National Executive Director, Cooperate and Private Sectors Engagement.

The statement said that after the expiration of the ultimatum, South African business interests would face full wrath of the over 43.1 million Nigerian students scattered in the nooks and crannies of the country.

“The attention of the apex students governing body, NANS, has been drawn to continuous attacks, intimidation and subsequent chase of law abiding, peaceful and hardworking Nigerians and other Africans from South Africa.

“As the biggest students body in Africa, we are giving South African business interests four days to evacuate our beloved country, Nigeria.

Advertisement

“The reason for this action is simple. South Africans cannot continue to oppress and chase our people from their country and expect their businesses to thrive on our soil,” it said.

The statement further noted that immediately after expiration of the ultimatum, NANS will consider picketing South Africa business interests, while further actions will follow.”

It called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Union (AU) to take more decisive actions against South Africa for their inimical acts towards other Africans.

“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be paid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” it added.

It would be recalled that xenophobic attack by South Africans on other Africans for some months had led to Nigerians being physically assaulted, embarrassed, intimidated, injured and some gruesomely murdered.

Advertisement

Several Nigeria business interests and business premises, owned by law abiding Nigerians in South Africa, had been completely burnt down or destroyed by rampaging South Africans without any justification.

The alleged perpetrators of these crimes had earlier given Nigerians and other Africans an ultimatum of June 30 to leave South Africa.

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had in recent weeks airlifted hundreds of Nigerians, who are willing to leave the unfriendly country and her people, free of charge back to Nigeria.

However, some of those, who returned to Nigeria recently, left South Africa barely with the cloth they put on, losing savings, valuables and businesses they set up or acquired after many years.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Man Missing Since 2007 Found Alive After Spending 18 Years in Prison Without Trial

Published

on

A man identified as Gospel Uebari Kinanee, who disappeared in 2007 at the age of 14, has been found alive after spending 18 years in detention at the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Correctional Centre.

According to reports, Gospel was allegedly taken into custody by suspected security operatives and detained without trial, formal charges, or any case file.

Before his disappearance, he had gone out to play near his home in Ogoni, Rivers State, in 2007 and never returned. His family launched an extensive search, visiting police stations, mortuaries, and even the same correctional facility where he was unknowingly being held. Unable to cope with the uncertainty and anguish, both of his parents reportedly died during the years-long search.

His family and advocates were unable to locate him because he had been wrongly registered by the correctional facility under the name “Baridi Sunday” instead of his real name, Gospel Uebari Kinanee.

His ordeal came to light during a prison outreach programme conducted by the Haven360 Foundation, where he was identified as one of several “ghost prisoners”—individuals detained without proper legal documentation.

Gospel was subsequently released by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, during a jail delivery exercise aimed at decongesting correctional facilities.

Advertisement

Now in his 30s, Gospel is reportedly battling severe mental and psychological health challenges following his prolonged detention.

His family is pursuing a ₦10 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government and the Rivers State Government, seeking justice and compensation for his alleged unlawful detention.

Continue Reading

News

18 LG Chairmen, 22 Exco Members, 28 Aspirants Shun “Kangaroo Grand Entry,” Pledge Loyalty to Anosike

Published

on

In a fresh show of solidarity within the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sixteen Local Government Chairmen, twenty-two State Executive Committee members, and twenty-eight aspirants across the state have distanced themselves from what they described as a “kangaroo grand entry,” reaffirming their allegiance to the state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike.

The mass show of support comes amid lingering tension in the party following a controversial court process that had sought to challenge Anosike’s leadership , a move the state APC executive had earlier dismissed as a “kangaroo judgment” lacking the backing of genuine party stakeholders.

Sources within the party say the boycotted event, tagged a “Grand Entry,” was organized by a faction opposed to the current leadership, apparently in an attempt to project an alternative structure and challenge the legitimacy of Anosike’s executive. However, the near-total absence of substantive party officials at the event has been read by observers as a clear indication that the rival faction lacks the grassroots backing it claims to have.

In separate statements, the affected chairmen, exco members, and aspirants said their decision to stay away was a deliberate stand against what they called an orchestrated distraction targeted at the “constitutionally recognized” leadership of the party in the state. They restated their commitment to the Anosike-led executive, insisting that the chairman and his team remain the only legitimate authority running the affairs of the APC in Anambra.

Party loyalists argue that the scale of the boycott — spanning local government administration, the state working committee, and aspiring candidates — sends a strong signal about where the balance of support lies within the party’s grassroots structure. They maintain that any parallel structure or gathering outside the recognized leadership amounts to a distraction that will not derail the party’s preparations for the National Assembly, State Assembly, and local government polls.

Advertisement

As of press time, the organizers of the “Grand Entry” have yet to respond publicly to the mass boycott, while the Anosike-led executive is expected to address the development formally in the coming days.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending