Kanu ‘Enjoyed Presidential Treatment’ In DSS Custody, Witness Alleges Amid Duress Claims

ABUJA – The ongoing alleged terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), took a dramatic turn yesterday as a Department of State Services (DSS) operative claimed Kanu received “presidential treatment” during his detention. This testimony came during a “trial-within-trial” initiated to determine the admissibility of statements Kanu alleges were made under duress.

The third prosecution witness, identified only as Mr. CCC, emphatically denied claims that DSS operatives threatened Kanu with solitary confinement to extract statements in October and November 2015. Kanu had specifically named a “Mr. Brown” as making such threats, but Mr. CCC countered, stating the interviewing officers were James, Ibrahim, and Collins, with no “Mr. Brown” present.

Mr. CCC expressed “shock” at Kanu’s allegations of force, especially concerning statements where Kanu purportedly used “unprintable names” for former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, and accused Senator Rochas Okorocha of “Islamizing” his people. These statements were allegedly made during an interview with a US-based online medium, Sahara Reporters, where Kanu also reportedly referred to Nigeria as “Zoo.”

Crucially, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, admitted three videos into evidence, including one allegedly showing Kanu inspecting a radio transmitter said to have been smuggled into the country. The court also admitted three written statements made by Kanu at the DSS Headquarters on October 23rd, 24th, and November 4th, 2015, alongside a video recording of his oral statements from October 21st and 23rd, 2015.

Justice Omotosho ordered the “trial-within-trial” after Kanu asserted that his statements were involuntary. The judge underscored that if duress is established, the contested statements would be inadmissible. He also stated that a ruling on the impact of the absence of Kanu’s lawyers on the case would be delivered at the conclusion of this mini-trial.

During the footage played in court, Kanu is seen admitting to being the founder and director of Radio Biafra. He also claimed that the “Biafra cause” receives global funding from supporters of the secessionist agenda, with representatives in over 80 countries.

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Taking the witness stand himself, Kanu testified that a DSS operative struck him when he was apprehended in Lagos in 2015, though he added that the operative later apologized en route to Abuja.

Justice Omotosho has adjourned the matter to today, Thursday, May 29, 2025, for the continuation of the hearing and to deliver a ruling on the admissibility of the contested statements. The outcome of this “trial-within-trial” is expected to significantly impact the trajectory of the high-profile case.