Kanu behind formation of Eastern Security Network – Witness

Kanu

A prosecution witness on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,Nnamdi Kanu, is also the founder of the militant group, Eastern Security Network.

The witness, identified only by the codename “BBB” for security reasons, made the revelation while being led in evidence by the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), at the resumed trial of Kanu for terrorism before Justice James Omotosho.

The PUNCH reported at a previous hearing, Awomolo had requested that the identities of the prosecution witnesses be concealed for their safety, citing the serious terrorism charges brought against the defendant. The court granted the application.

Kanu, originally facing 15 counts of terrorism and treasonable felony, had his charges reduced to seven after the trial court struck out eight counts on April 8, 2022, for lacking merit.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, witness BBB said he was assigned by the Attorney General of the Federation to investigate Kanu.

He told the court:“The defendant is the operator of Radio Biafra and the founder of the Eastern Security Network.”

However, efforts by Awomolo to tender a letter authorising BBB to investigate Kanu were opposed by defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), who argued that the document had not been served on the defence team.

The prosecution subsequently withdrew the document, which the court accepted.

Agabi also objected to the admissibility of video evidence sought to be tendered by the prosecution, again citing lack of prior disclosure. Kanu supported his counsel’s objection.

Justice Omotosho ruled that all materials intended for trial must be disclosed in advance and properly listed, emphasising that no document would be admitted unless previously served on the defence.