Self-Defense Debate: Kanu’s Lawyers Plays Explosive Videos of Danjuma,DSS DG, Uzodinma in Court

COURTROOM REPORT: Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyers Play Videos of T.Y Danjuma, DSS DG, and Hope Uzodinma in Ongoing Trial

In a dramatic turn during the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Paul Erokoro, presented video evidence featuring prominent Nigerian figures, including retired General T.Y. Danjuma, Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.

The videos were played during the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, identified as Mr. BBB, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The intent, according to Kanu’s defense, was to show that calls for self-defense against insecurity in Nigeria had also been made by government officials and respected elites — not just Kanu or IPOB.

One of the clips showed General Danjuma speaking at what appeared to be an academic event, where he openly accused Nigeria’s armed forces of colluding with bandits and terrorists. “If you rely on the armed forces to protect you, you will all die one by one,” Danjuma warned in the clip.

Another video featured DSS DG Ajayi urging communities to rise up in self-defense against terrorists. He cited examples from Bauchi and Sokoto States where locals reportedly repelled attacks by mobilizing themselves. He emphasized the role of community efforts alongside government strategy in combating insecurity.

The third video showed Governor Uzodinma publicly stating that the killings in Imo State’s Orlu zone were not perpetrated by IPOB, but rather by politically sponsored actors. He urged political stakeholders to embrace peace during the Easter season.

When asked for his opinion on the videos, the prosecution witness, Mr. BBB, endorsed the DSS DG’s message, saying that he agreed with the DSS DG’s call for communities to arm themselves in order to defend themselves. When the defence counsel asked him the difference between what the DSS DG said and what Nnamdi Kanu said, he responded that he didn’t know. However, he declined to comment on Danjuma’s statement and Governor Hope Uzodimma’s remarks.

In another development during the session, Kanu’s lawyers submitted the Lagos State Judicial Panel’s report on End SARS as evidence, highlighting findings that indicted security agencies for abuse. The court admitted the document after confirming it as a certified true copy.

Kanu’s team also challenged the prosecution’s portrayal of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), asking whether any of its members in earlier court videos were seen with arms. The witness said no arms were visible but suggested they could have been concealed, citing pistols and grenades as possibilities.

Judge Gives Deadline for Prosecution

Justice Omotosho has now given the prosecution a firm deadline of six days — spread across May 28, 29, and June 6, 16, 18, 19 — to present all remaining witnesses. He warned that failure to conclude the prosecution within the allotted days would result in the case being deemed closed from their end.

Background

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Nnamdi Kanu, founder of IPOB and operator of Radio Biafra, has been in custody since June 2021 following his arrest and extraordinary rendition from Kenya. Originally arraigned in 2015, he was granted bail in 2017 but fled the country after an assassination attempt by Nigerian forces. After eight of the 15 terrorism-related charges against him were struck out in 2022, he continues to face seven counts under Justice Omotosho.

The trial resumes on May 28.