the legal counsel for Nnamdi Kanu played several videos in court showing retired Army General T.Y. Danjuma and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, urging the public to rise up and defend themselves against terrorists and bandits.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Paul Erokoro, presented the videos in court on Wednesday during the conclusion of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, identified as Mr. BBB, in the ongoing trial of Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). IPOB is a group seeking the secession of Biafra from Nigeria, but the Federal Government has proscribed it as a terrorist organization and is prosecuting Kanu on terrorism-related charges. Kanu has been in DSS custody since June 2021.
In one of the videos, General T.Y. Danjuma is seen speaking at what appears to be an academic gathering, as he was dressed in an academic gown. He stated:
“The armed forces are not neutral. They collude with armed bandits and terrorists who are killing people. They provide them with information and cover. And if you are relying on the armed forces to stop the killings, you will all die one by one.”
Another video showed the DSS DG, Adeola Ajayi, speaking at an event. He cited the example of Azare community in Bauchi State, where locals rose up against Boko Haram terrorists during an attack and killed all the insurgents. According to him, since then, Azare has not experienced another attack.
He also referenced Tafawa Balewa community in Sokoto State, which reportedly mobilized and repelled bandit attacks, eliminated the bandits, and seized their weapons.
Ajayi said in the video:
“You cannot expect the army, police, and other security agencies to secure every part of Nigeria. It is impossible. Communities must rise up and defend themselves—and the time to act is now.”
He added that communities should approach the DSS, which would provide the necessary approvals and strategies to help them organize for self-defense.
The final video played by Kanu’s legal team featured Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, who stated:
“If anyone tells you that IPOB is responsible for the killings in Orlu zone, that is incorrect. It is wicked politicians who are sponsoring the violence in Orlu.”
The governor went on to urge politicians to embrace the spirit of Easter and withdraw from violent and deadly activities in the state.
After the videos were played, Erokoro asked the witness, Mr. BBB, for his opinion. The witness responded that he fully supports the statement made by the DSS DG because it emphasizes the need for communities to seek approval before mobilizing for self-defense.
Regarding the video of General Danjuma, the witness acknowledged hearing his statement but declined to comment further.
Erokoro then asked, “Are you aware if the DSS arrested Danjuma after he made those comments?”
Mr. BBB replied that he was not aware of any such arrest.
On the video featuring Governor Uzodinma, the witness said he believes the governor was referring to politically motivated killings in Imo State. However, he emphasized that the killings linked to IPOB members have affected security personnel, civilians, and politicians alike.
During re-examination, the prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), asked the witness to explain the difference between Amotekun and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing reportedly established by Kanu and IPOB.
The witness clarified that the two are not the same. He stated that Amotekun is a legally recognized security outfit backed by legislation passed by all state Houses of Assembly in the South West and is also properly registered. In contrast, the ESN has no such legal foundation or recognition.
Paul Erokoro (SAN), Kanu Agabi (SAN), and Emeka Etiaba (SAN) are among the senior lawyers representing Nnamdi Kanu.
During Wednesday’s court session, Erokoro, one of Kanu’s lawyers, also submitted the report of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on restitution for victims of the End SARS protest as evidence.
This came after he questioned the prosecution witness, Mr. BBB, on whether he was aware of the End SARS protest and the panel’s report that investigated the incidents. The witness confirmed that he was aware of both.
Erokoro then asked, “Are you aware that the report indicted security agencies for their role in the protest?” Mr. BBB responded that he was not aware of any such indictment.
Following this, Erokoro presented the panel’s report to the witness, asking him to read the title and verify if it was a Certified True Copy. Once verified, Erokoro applied to tender the document as evidence. Trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, admitted the report and marked it as Exhibit PWO, after the prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), raised no objections.
During cross-examination, Erokoro also asked the witness whether the video of alleged Eastern Security Network (ESN) members played in court showed any of them visibly armed. Mr. BBB stated he did not see anyone carrying a weapon, but added that arms could have been concealed beneath their clothing.
“What kind of weapons could be concealed in that way?” Erokoro asked.
The witness replied that items such as pistols, daggers, and even grenades could potentially be hidden under clothing.
Judge Sets Six Days for Prosecution to Close Its Case
After the cross-examination and re-examination, Justice Omotosho reiterated his commitment to ensuring an accelerated hearing of the case, to avoid any overlap with the annual judicial vacation starting in late July.
He directed both the defense and prosecution teams to agree on six hearing dates within the next two weeks for the prosecution to present all its witnesses and close its case.
“No matter how many witnesses the prosecution intends to call, if they do not conclude their presentation within these six days, I will consider the case closed,” Justice Omotosho declared.
Subsequently, lead counsel Kanu Agabi (SAN) and lead prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) agreed on the following dates: May 28, May 29, and June 6, 16, 18, and 19, 2025.
The judge then adjourned the matter to those dates for the continuation of hearing and possible conclusion of the prosecution’s case.
