The long-running legal battle of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has taken a dramatic new turn following explosive testimony from a Department of State Services (DSS) operative.
In a session on Thursday, May 8, 2025,at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the DSS witness alleged that a broadcast by Kanu incited the killing of former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, in 2021. Gulak, a prominent political figure from the north, was assassinated in Imo State in what initially appeared to be a politically motivated attack.
According to the DSS operative, Kanu’s broadcasts over the controversial Radio Biafra played a key role in fueling separatist sentiments and violence in the southeastern region. The witness claimed Kanu not only founded IPOB but also admitted to establishing its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and running the unlicensed radio station used to spread the group’s messages.
This testimony marks a potential turning point in the case, which has seen numerous adjournments and legal maneuvers since Kanu’s re-arrest and extradition to Nigeria in 2021.
However, the defense team quickly countered, challenging the admissibility of the video evidence linking Kanu’s speech to the violence. Kanu’s lead counsel argued that due process was not followed in obtaining and presenting the recordings, raising concerns about their authenticity and chain of custody.
The presiding judge, after hearing arguments from both sides, adjourned the case to allow further deliberations and possible examination of the evidence’s legality. The ruling on whether the video will be admitted could significantly influence the trajectory of the trial.
As public interest surges and political tension remains high, this development adds another layer of complexity to a case that continues to test the boundaries between national security, freedom of speech, and political dissent in Nigeria.