The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that his push for the emancipation of the South-East, South-South, and parts of Benue and Kogi States is a constitutionally protected right and not an act of terrorism, as alleged by the Federal Government.
Kanu’s statement, made to the Department of State Services (DSS) during his 2015 interrogation in Lagos, was presented in court on Tuesday by the prosecution led by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. The statement was read aloud by a DSS operative serving as a prosecution witness and was admitted as evidence without objection from the defence.
In the statement, Kanu said freedom fighting is not a crime in any part of the world, including Nigeria, and emphasized that he had never engaged in or supported violence. He further claimed his interrogation was conducted without legal representation, which he said was a violation of his rights.
The court also admitted video recordings of the interrogation, which were played publicly during the proceedings. In the footage, Kanu reaffirmed his position and defended the creation of Radio Biafra in London, where it was registered. He stated that the station was not registered with Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) because it operated outside the country and had no obligation to do so under Nigerian law.
Additionally, four suitcases recovered from the hotel room where Kanu was arrested on October 15, 2015, were brought to court. According to the DSS, the bags contained personal items and broadcasting equipment used for Radio Biafra. These were also admitted as exhibits.
The proceedings are part of the ongoing trial of the IPOB leader, who is facing charges of terrorism and treasonable felony. The Federal Government has accused him of using IPOB and Radio Biafra to incite violence and promote secession, allegations he denies.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015, later released on bail in 2017, and then fled the country. He was rearrested in 2021 and has remained in DSS custody since then.
