The Federal Government has closed its case against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice James Omotosho has fixed July 18 for Kanu to open his defence.
The prosecution team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adegboyega Awomolo, announced the closure on Thursday after presenting five witnesses who testified to establish the terrorism charges against the IPOB leader.
Defence Considering No-Case Submission
Kanu's lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, informed the court that the defence team would be filing a no-case submission. This indicates they believe the prosecution has failed to properly link Kanu with the alleged terrorism activities.
During the proceedings, the fifth prosecution witness, identified only as "EEE" for security reasons, testified about investigations into the #EndSARS protests of 2020-2021. The witness, a Department of State Services (DSS) officer, presented documents detailing casualties and property damage during the period.
Evidence Presented Against Kanu
The court admitted three documents as exhibits: a report of the #EndSARS assessments, a list of officers who died during the protests, and death certificates of the deceased officers. According to these documents, 128 policemen, 37 army officers, and 10 DSS agents were killed during the period. Additionally, 164 police stations and 19 facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were reportedly destroyed.
The prosecution witness claimed that Kanu's broadcasts incited people to attack security officials and destroy public property, describing his alleged actions as "one of the underlying causes" of the #EndSARS protests.
Defence Challenges Prosecution's Claims
Under cross-examination by Kanu's lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, the witness admitted he was not directly involved in investigating crimes allegedly committed by Kanu but rather the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.
When questioned about whether the entire #EndSARS protest was carried out at Kanu's direction, the witness acknowledged that police brutality could have been a "secondary cause" of the protests but maintained that "subversive elements" including the defendant had incited the public against the government.
The defence also questioned the witness about prominent non-Igbo protest leaders, suggesting that the #EndSARS movement was not connected to IPOB's Biafran agenda.
The case has drawn significant attention as it touches on issues of separatist movements, freedom of expression, and national security in Nigeria.
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