A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has testified that Kanu admitted making a broadcast calling for the killings of President Bola Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The witness stated that in the broadcast, Kanu announced a N100 million bounty on Wike’s head and urged that all Tinubu’s properties be destroyed.
This was revealed by the second prosecution witness during his testimony on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He was being led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo.
The court was informed that Kanu made the admission during his statement to investigators on July 17, 2021.
The witness identified copies of Kanu’s recorded broadcasts, which were saved on a flash drive. The court accepted the flash drive as evidence, and the contents were played in open court.
Altogether, seven recorded broadcasts were presented and played in court.
In the broadcast dated December 12, 2020, Kanu compared the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to the Amotekun Corps and Miyetti Allah group, saying it was a vigilante group to protect the South East.
Towards the end of that broadcast, he called on his followers to pursue Wike and kill him. He accused Wike of placing a N50 million bounty on a Biafran’s head and stated, “Wike does not deserve to live and that he deserves to die.” Kanu warned that the same fate would befall any governor who presides over the killings of his people.
Another broadcast, dated October 20, 2020, was made during the End SARS protests. In it, Kanu told his followers to unleash violence in Lagos and kill Tinubu, whom he labelled “a traitor and an evil man who should be taught a lesson.”
He further encouraged his supporters to kill police and other uniformed officers, declaring: “Tinubu’s hotel must be burnt down. Tinubu should not be allowed to escape.”
In a third broadcast, Kanu placed a direct bounty on Wike’s life, stating: “N100m for anyone who can take Wike down. Dead or alive, Wike is N100m. I will pay cash. Take down Wike, I will pay you cash.”
He added, “The bounty on Wike’s head is N100m. Get me his head, you will get N100m. Wike offered N50m for the head of a Biafran.”
The prosecution is using the broadcasts to support its charges against Kanu, who is facing trial over alleged incitement, treason, and terrorism-related offences.
