An operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), identified as BBB, told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that the agency did not arrest Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya.
BBB, the second prosecution witness in the trial of Kanu, said the DSS focuses only on internal security. He emphasized that the agency does not carry out foreign operations.
“We did not kidnap Kanu in Kenya. We operate only within Nigeria,” he said during cross-examination by Kanu’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN.
The witness confirmed Kanu founded Radio Biafra but said he didn’t know if the station still broadcasted. He also explained that the DSS operates under the National Security Adviser, not political appointees.
BBB stated that he did not join any team that arrested Kanu abroad. He said investigating Kanu’s claim of being kidnapped in Kenya was not part of his assignment.
The defence presented three court rulings that declared Kanu’s arrest and detention unlawful. The judgments came from courts in Umuahia and Enugu. Justice James Omotosho admitted them as evidence.
BBB insisted that DSS only arrested Kanu in Lagos. He added that Kanu incited violence by asking his followers to kill security agents. When asked if this was self-defence, he disagreed.
“No Nigerian law allows someone to kill another human being as a form of self-defence,” he said.
He also said he wasn’t aware of any call by DSS leadership urging Nigerians to defend themselves. He acknowledged that a former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, once accused security forces of bias.
Adjournment and Social Media Concerns
Erokoro asked the court for an adjournment to present video recordings. Prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, objected. He reminded the court that time had been set aside for cross-examination. Justice Omotosho granted the adjournment but warned that the court would close the witness’s session if the defence failed to continue by May 22.
Earlier, both legal teams raised concerns about misleading posts on social media. Awomolo said a defence lawyer streamed court proceedings live. He presented a post as evidence of the misrepresentation.
Justice Omotosho warned all parties to act professionally.
“This kind of misconduct can lead to disbarment,” he cautioned.
The trial will resume on May 22.
