-How Nnamdi Kanu hid radio transmitter in household items — DSS

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), allegedly concealed a radio transmitter inside household items to smuggle it into the country undetected.

Appearing as the fourth prosecution witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative—referred to as Mr. DDD for security purposes, testified that the radio transmitter was smuggled into Nigeria without being declared to the Nigerian Customs Service and was later concealed at the home of one Benjamin Madubougu in Ihiala, Anambra State.

While being examined by the lead prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the witness testified that Kanu used the radio transmitter to promote secessionist rhetoric and incite acts of violence against the Nigerian government.

“The defendant used the radio to provoke public unrest against the Federal Government,” he said. “Acting on a search warrant, we searched Benjamin’s home and recovered the transmitter, along with various items such as firearms, ammunition, Biafran currency, and Indian hemp.”

The court admitted as evidence a certified copy of a search warrant issued by the Ihiala Chief Magistrate Court on October 28, 2015.

A video showing Nnamdi Kanu inspecting the allegedly smuggled transmitter was also presented and accepted by the court, despite initial objections by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) the defence team.

In the footage, which was played in open court, Kanu was purportedly seen describing the transmitter as a “game changer” and likening it to a “nuclear weapon” for the Biafran cause.

He was also said to have issued a warning to residents of the South-East, urging them to comply with IPOB’s sit-at-home directive scheduled for May 31, 2021, and threatening consequences for anyone who disobeyed.

According to the DSS operative, the broadcast had a direct impact on the region’s economy. “Based on my investigation, the broadcast triggered economic paralysis in the South-East, as it encouraged IPOB’s militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to enforce the order,” the witness stated.

The prosecution further submitted a flash drive containing 18 video recordings and 16 radio broadcasts allegedly linked to Kanu, which were accepted into evidence by the court.

The court also received the statement of Benjamin Madubougu, in which he admitted that no customs documentation was provided by Kanu for the imported transmitter.

The court also accepted into evidence a publication from Vanguard newspaper, which contained a claim by an alleged member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) that Kanu had ordered the collection of 2,000 human heads for burial rites—though only 30 were reportedly gathered.

Despite objections from the defence regarding the admissibility of the article, the court admitted the publication along with a certificate of compliance.

In addition, the prosecution requested that the court conduct a physical inspection of the container that held the radio transmitter and other related materials, currently secured at the DSS facility within the Presidential Villa.

The request was granted without any challenge from the defence.

Presiding over the case, Justice James Omotoso ruled that the court would visit the DSS location to examine the container and subsequently adjourned the case.

He stressed the court’s obligation to thoroughly review all available evidence in the interest of justice.

The matter was then adjourned for continuation of the hearing.