A second prosecution witness and operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday disclosed before a Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had expressed a desire for parts of Kogi and Benue States to be included in a proposed Biafran nation.
The DSS operative, identified in court as BBB, made the revelation while testifying behind a screen as the second prosecution witness in the trial presided over by Justice James Omotosho. BBB stated that Kanu made the assertion during a recorded statement, which has been preserved on a compact disc.
The testimony came during proceedings led by prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, who presented the disc, a letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and a certificate of compliance as evidence. However, Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), objected to the admissibility of the materials, arguing that the defence had not been served with either the AGF’s letter or the recording.
Agabi stressed that it was the defendant’s constitutional right to access all documents and materials the prosecution intends to rely upon in its case.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho upheld the objection, affirming that the defence must be granted access to all relevant materials as stipulated under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution. He then ordered the prosecution to serve all necessary documents and facilities on the defendant.
Following an application by the prosecuting counsel, the matter was adjourned till May 7 for the continuation of the witness’s testimony and for the prosecution to comply with the court’s order.
