- FG Closes Case Against Nnamdi Kanu.
- DSS witness admits no direct IPOB link to listed deaths.
- Court adjourns to July 18 for final submissions on trial status.
The Federal Government on Thursday formally closed its case in the terrorism and treason trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that lead prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), announced the closure after the fifth and final prosecution witness (PW5), identified only as EEE, concluded his testimony before Justice James Omotosho.
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“I therefore close the case,” Awomolo declared, stating that the evidence presented—including video broadcasts, intelligence documents, and investigative reports—had established a prima facie case against the defendant.
However, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), responded by notifying the court of their intention to file a no-case submission, implying that the defence believes the prosecution failed to prove any case worth answering.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho admitted into evidence a report by the Department of State Services (DSS) that allegedly links Kanu to the killing of 186 police officers and destruction of 164 police stations during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
The report was tendered by Awomolo through PW5, a DSS operative codenamed EEE, who said he was tasked with assessing the damage linked to the protests.
“I know the defendant through the media. I have never met him,” the witness testified.
Under cross-examination by Kanu’s counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness admitted that the report did not directly link IPOB or its members to any of the deaths listed. “There is no single caption that links deaths directly to IPOB on any page,” he said.
Ikpeazu further pressed the operative on the credibility of the evidence, noting that the photographs in the report lacked timestamps and the report itself was not signed. The witness admitted he did not sign it but claimed he certified it as a secretary.
When asked if other activists, including Aisha Yesufu who was vocal during the protests, were investigated, the operative replied, “My assignment was not to investigate Biafra or individuals like Aisha Yesufu, but to assess the damage caused during the #EndSARS protest.”
Following the testimonies, Justice Omotosho granted both sides 14 days to file their written submissions on the no-case application and two additional days for replies.
The case was adjourned to July 18 for the adoption of final submissions, which will determine whether the matter proceeds to full trial or is dismissed.
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