A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS), referred to as BBB, has testified before the Federal High Court, Abuja, denying that the agency’s involvement in the arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in Kenya.
During his cross-examination by Kanu’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, BBB emphasised that the DSS focuses solely on Nigeria’s internal security and does not engage in foreign operations.
He categorically denied any involvement in Kanu’s alleged kidnapping in Kenya.
The witness acknowledged Kanu’s connection to Radio Biafra but stated he was unsure if the station had ceased broadcasting.
He restated the DSS’s independence from political influence, noting that the agency operates under the guidance of the national security adviser.
While BBB highlighted the importance of neutrality in DSS operations, he rejected claims made by Kanu’s defense team suggesting that the agency was complicit in the defendant’s arrest abroad.
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Throughout the proceedings, BBB expressed that he was unaware of any instance where terrorism labels were applied to Nigerians advocating for independence.
He reflected on historical figures such as Odimegwu Ojukwu, stating that Biafra has never received official recognition within Nigeria.
When addressing Kanu’s calls for violence against security personnel, BBB asserted that he was not aware of any legal justification in Nigeria for killing individuals, even in self-defense scenarios.
The witness also acknowledged having read about several court rulings that declared Kanu’s arrest illegal but maintained that the DSS had arrested him in Lagos due to his inflammatory rhetoric against security forces.
After a brief contention over the continuation of the cross-examination, the court granted an adjournment to allow the defense to present additional evidence, including video recordings.
Justice Omotosho cautioned that should the defense fail to conclude its questioning by the next session on May 22, its case would be considered closed.
