Court docket admits movies displaying Nnamdi Kanu ‘creating’ ESN, ordering lockdown in South-East

The Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja on Wednesday admitted as reveals sequence of video clips displaying Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, saying the creation of the Jap Safety Community (ESN) and ordering lockdown within the South-East.

Within the movies performed in open courtroom, the chief of the proscribed Indigenous Individuals of Biafra (IPOB) was seen issuing statements thought-about inflammatory by the Federal Authorities, upon which the terrorism prices had been filed towards him.

One of many movies was tagged ‘Broadcast by Nnamdi Kanu’, and Kanu was visibly seen addressing his followers on what he known as “The Blessed Land of Biafra.”

He introduced the formation of the Jap Safety Community (ESN), urging followers to defend their land towards what he known as “Fulani domination”.

Kanu warned political leaders within the area towards compromise and issued a directive forbidden the presence of Fulani herdsmen, stating: “No Fulani parading as herdsmen shall be allowed in our land.

“In case you are an agent of the Fulani, flip away this night.”

The Federal Authorities, by way of its witness code-named PWBBB, claimed that the published incited acts of terrorism throughout the South-East.

The witness was led in proof by the prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. Throughout his proof, he tendered a flash drive containing recordings of Kanu’s actions earlier than he was apprehended for inciting violence and terrorism.

The machine was admitted as proof alongside a certificates of compliance, regardless of vehement objections from Kanu’s legal professionals.

They had been marked as Displays PWA and PW1, respectively.

Earlier within the session, the courtroom admitted a letter dated June 17, 2021, authored by the previous Legal professional Common of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), which accused Kanu of terrorism, homicide and incitement to violence.

The letter, addressed to the DSS, was tendered with out objection and marked as Exhibit PWF.

Studying from the doc, the witness alleged that Kanu’s broadcasts had been adopted by coordinated assaults on police stations and correctional amenities, ensuing within the lack of lives and property.

He quoted the letter as saying Kanu had instructed that safety operatives be “introduced down” and their weapons seized.

Additionally admitted was a press release dated July 17, 2021, purportedly made by Kanu throughout his detention, the place he declined to make additional written statements, asserting he had already addressed the allegations.

In one other performed video clip, recorded on December 12, 2020, Kanu was seen making a broadcast declaring: “Within the blessed land of Biafra, we should do every thing to avoid wasting ourselves from extinction.”

He described Nigeria as a “zoo” and known as for resistance towards what he termed Fulani domination, accusing political leaders of betraying the individuals.

In one other video, Kanu launched the Jap Safety Community (ESN), evaluating it to regional safety outfits like South West Amotekun and stated it was essential to defend the South-East from Fulani herders.

The courtroom additionally seen footage from the #EndSARS protests, the place Kanu was seen directing assaults on police and authorities amenities.

A separate video dated Might 30, 2021, confirmed Kanu declaring a complete lockdown within the South-East in reminiscence of fallen Biafrans, instructing residents to not go away their properties.

One other clip confirmed Kanu asking his followers to acquire weapons and bullets for self-defence, particularly referencing threats from Boko Haram and labelling Fulani herders as terrorists.

The witness confirmed the voice within the movies as Kanu’s.

Moreover, the Federal Authorities’s gazette formally proscribing IPOB as a terrorist group, dated September 20, 2017 was admitted as an exhibit with out objection from the defence.

The Federal Authorities lawyer thereafter requested an adjournment to proceed taking part in the remaining footage, noting it exceeded an hour.

The defence raised no objections, prompting Justice James Kolawole Omotosho to adjourn the matter to Might 8 for continuation of trial.