Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he founded Radio Biafra to promote peace, truth, and fundamental human rights.
Kanu made the claim in a recorded video of his interrogation by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), which was played in open court during his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism and treasonable felony.
The IPOB leader, who was re-arraigned before Justice James Omotosho on March 21, also admitted in the video that although Radio Biafra was registered in the United Kingdom, its operations in Nigeria were not licensed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), making it technically illegal within the country.
According to him, the radio station was financed by supporters across various countries and its financial records were made public to the UK government.
During the resumed proceedings, lead prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), informed the court of an ex parte application dated April 10, seeking to shield the identities of witnesses testifying in the case.
He argued that the measure was necessary to ensure the safety and security of state officials.
Kanu’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), said the defence had no objection to the application, which was subsequently granted by Justice Omotosho.
Following the court’s approval, the first prosecution witness, identified only as “AAA” for security reasons, testified.
The witness, a DSS operative, told the court that he was part of the team that arrested Kanu on October 15, 2015, at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Lagos.
AAA said the team recovered several items from Kanu’s hotel room, including broadcasting equipment believed to be used for Radio Biafra transmissions.
Also tendered and admitted into evidence was a written statement by Kanu, in which he claimed that he was interrogated by DSS operatives without legal representation, a procedure he argued was against the law.
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