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The Federal Government on Tuesday formally opened its case against Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), revealing new details about his 2015 arrest at a Lagos hotel, where he was allegedly found with broadcasting equipment and a young woman.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja, the first prosecution witness—identified only as AAA, a veteran of the Department of State Services (DSS) with 18 years of service—testified behind a protective screen. This measure followed an earlier ruling by Justice James Omotosho granting anonymity to witnesses, citing the sensitive nature of the case.
AAA testified that Kanu was apprehended on October 14, 2015, at the Golden Tulip Hotel near Lagos International Airport. DSS agents, unable to find his name on the guest list, conducted a room-to-room search and eventually located him in Room 303 with a woman later identified as Maria Ibezimakor.
“Kanu initially resisted arrest and even headbutted one of our officers,” the witness said. He further testified that the room contained sophisticated radio transmission equipment, allegedly used for operating Radio Biafra.
According to the prosecution, the equipment was seized and taken to the DSS office in Lagos, where Kanu later signed a document acknowledging ownership. During interrogation the following day, a recorded video—played in court—captured Kanu admitting to founding and operating Radio Biafra without a Nigerian broadcasting licence.
Kanu stated in the footage that although he was aware the broadcasts were illegal, he believed any application for a licence would have been denied. He described himself as a freedom fighter advocating for the self-determination of people in the South-East, South-South, and Middle Belt regions, referencing the United Nations Charter to justify his actions. He denied any involvement in violence.
Kanu also confirmed his background as a communication engineer and disclosed that Radio Biafra employed personnel in the United States, Russia, Italy, and Sweden—but not in Nigeria. He claimed that Nigerians distributed the station’s content voluntarily.
Meanwhile, a request from the defence team—led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kanu Agabi—to allow 22 lawyers was denied by Justice Omotosho, who upheld the previously approved limit of 13 lawyers.
Other members of Kanu’s defence team include Audu Nunghe, Joseph Akubo, Emeka Etiaba, and Onyechi Ikpeazu.
