Terrorism Case Crumbles? DSS Witness Clears Nnamdi Kanu of Incriminating Evidence

A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS), identified in court as PWAAA, testified on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja that no weapons or items associated with terrorism or violence were found in the possession of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), during his arrest on October 14, 2015, at the Golden Tulip Hotel near Lagos International Airport.

According to the testimony, no offensive materials or items capable of inciting public unrest were discovered on the woman who was arrested alongside Kanu either. During cross-examination by Kanu’s legal counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), the DSS witness confirmed that all the items recovered were Kanu’s personal belongings. While the objects themselves were not inherently offensive, the witness suggested that the defendant’s intent might be subject to interpretation.

PWAAA also told the court that he did not analyze any of the seized items, as his role was limited to effecting Kanu’s arrest and obtaining a statement. He did, however, confirm that he analyzed Kanu’s mobile phone, but stated that the report was deemed irrelevant and thus was not submitted to the court.

He further acknowledged that the personal items, which have been held for nearly a decade, may have deteriorated in value or become obsolete.

The list of items seized from Kanu and presented as court exhibits includes: one black laptop, two multi-mix transmitters, two Apple iPads with pouches, two grey MacBooks (one with a pouch, the other with a case), a mini drone sound wave speaker, two white mini speakers, a large computer mouse, various adaptors, modems, flash drives, phones, and sound equipment.

Also among the seized items were personal accessories and documents, such as a Nigerian and a British passport bearing his names, perfumes, wristwatches, singlets, shoes, bank cards, IPOB-related documents, and several other miscellaneous belongings.