The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has again condemned the ongoing terrorism trial of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, calling it a “judicial comedy” and accusing the Federal Government of persecution rather than prosecution.
In a statement issued Friday evening by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group described the proceedings as a show of incompetence and lawlessness, and called on the international community and human rights observers to keep a close eye on the case.
“At today’s hearing, the prosecution presented another witness, codenamed PW-DDD, who admitted to knowing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu since his 2015 detention by the DSS. This is now the third time he is being unlawfully detained for advocating Biafra’s self-determination,” the statement said.
IPOB criticised the prosecution team, led by senior lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), for tendering newspaper publications sourced from the internet as evidence. “Vanguard newspaper became the latest ‘evidence’ — speculative tabloid material now being used in a terrorism trial,” the group said.
The group also faulted the court’s decision to inspect a container and radio transmitter — items it said had already been addressed by the Court of Appeal, which ruled the matter should be tried in Awka, not Abuja.
IPOB accused the government of disobeying court orders and using the judiciary to suppress its leader.
“When asked to proceed with questioning, the prosecution instead requested an adjournment. The judge, Hon. Justice Omotosho, granted a short window and warned that the prosecution must close its case by Thursday or the case would be closed automatically,” the statement added.
IPOB insisted there is no real case against Kanu, saying the charges rely on propaganda and recycled media reports instead of solid evidence.
The group continues to maintain that Nnamdi Kanu is being held for peacefully demanding a Biafran state and urged global bodies to intervene in what it described as a politically motivated trial.
