Metro

Kanu’s Radio Transmitter Import Was Unauthorised, DSS Tells Court

Published

4 months ago

June 18, 2025

The Department of State Services informed the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that the National Broadcasting Commission did not licence the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to import the radio transmitter allegedly smuggled into Nigeria to operate Radio Biafra.

The fourth prosecution witness, a DSS official identified as Mr DDD, stated this during his testimony in the ongoing terrorism trial of Kanu, instituted by the Federal Government.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the witness testified that after he and his team recovered the transmitter from a premises in Ubuluisiuzor, Anambra State, they transported it to Abuja. Subsequently, the DSS contacted the NBC to inspect the device.

The witness said that on November 9, 2015, NBC sent an engineer to inspect the transmitter, who subsequently issued a report. Awomolo tendered a certified true copy of the provisional assessment report on the transmitter as evidence.

Reading from the report, the witness stated that the transmitter was German-made and designed for FM frequency broadcasting. The report further indicated that such equipment could only be legally procured and installed with a valid licence, which Radio Biafra did not have.

The DSS investigation revealed that to operate a radio station in Nigeria, an applicant must obtain a licence from the NBC after receiving clearance from relevant security agencies. “In this case, the defendant [Kanu] neither applied for nor received any approval. He illegally imported the transmitter,” the witness asserted.

The witness added that the investigation confirmed Kanu owned the transmitter, which he stored at the residence of one Benjamin Madubugu. Kanu later inspected the transmitter and recorded a video to assure IPOB members who had contributed funds for its purchase.

In further testimony, Mr DDD claimed IPOB’s armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, was responsible for between 170 and 200 deaths of security personnel in the South-East.

He recounted a statement from an ESN member, Uzuoma Benjamin, alias Onye Army, who allegedly described directives from Kanu to attack and kill security agents and bury a deceased IPOB commander, Ikonso, with 2,000 human heads.

The witness said IPOB’s activities included the 2021 Owerri prison attack, allegedly orchestrated by Kanu, and provided accounts of ESN members engaging in human sacrifices for “spiritual fortification.”

The witness read that Onye Army claimed that he and other members of his group used the heads of 10 girls to prepare charms for their protection.

He said that when the DSS requested from the police to access Onye Army, the police claimed he had escaped from custody.

He added that during one of DSS agents’ raids on ESN members’ hideouts, “we saw some ESN members, about seven, with human heads and some eating human flesh, which they said was for spiritual fortification.

“We could not find Onye Army. The police said he had escaped from custody,” the witness told the court.

On how the ESN members operate, the witness said they are combatants who carry arms and attack homes of prominent individuals and traditional rulers in the region.

He said that because they lacked sufficient operational tools, they sometimes set up roadblocks during which they hijacked vehicles for their operations.

Regarding the May 30, 2021 killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former presidential aide, the witness recounted being among the first responders. He claimed Gulak was killed at an IPOB checkpoint after he failed to speak the Igbo language convincingly.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness admitted there was no record of the transmitter’s importation and that he could not confirm when it was brought into the country. He revealed the transmitter was located using video analysis tools and was later recovered from Anambra State.

He also denied knowledge of certain individuals and companies allegedly involved in clearing the transmitter. The court was further informed that the transmitter was allegedly imported by one Igwe Anyiba, who resides abroad.

The witness added that two firearms were recovered from beneath a mattress on Madubugu’s property, and the latter was charged with unlawful possession of firearms.

Following the conclusion of the cross-examination, the court discharged the witness. Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case until June 20, for the prosecution to call its fifth witness.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Bauchi: Auto Crash Claimed 432, Injured 2,070 Persons In 1 Months — FRSC

Published

11 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says no fewer than 432 persons had been killed while 2,070 persons were injured in auto crashes within one month across the country.

Shehu Mohammed, the Corps Marshal of FRSC stated this in Bauchi on Monday in a news conference to flag off the 2025 Ember Months public enlightenment and sensitisation campa on road safety.

According to him, the figure was as a result of 533 reported cases of auto crashes that took place between January 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025 in the country.

Represented by Corps Commander Apaji Boyi, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Bauchi, Mohammed said that some of the major causes of those crashes were driver fatigue, overloading of persons, conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles and traveling with fuel in plastic containers.

While emphasising that driver behaviour was a fundamental element in determining safety on highways, said some road traffic infringements by drivers responsible for the previous road crash records included speed limit violations.

“These infringements also include failure to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations, speed limit violations, driving under influence of alcohol and drugs, seat belt violations as well as using of phones while driving among others.

“Therefore, the choice of the 2025 end-of-year campaign with the theme ‘Taking Responsibility for Your Safety’ was deliberate and well thought out.

“It was carefully chosen to address road traffic infringements by drivers which were largely responsible for the previous road crash records.

“In line with our commitment to achieve the desired outcome of the 2025 end of year campaign, FRSC has deployed personnel and Special Marshals across major highways and crash-prone corridors nationwide,” he said.

The Corps Marshal added that the corps would also be embarking on free-vehicle check exercise to improve vehicle road worthiness, conducting motor park rallies and motorcar carnivals nationwide to raise awareness level of motorists and the general public.

Mohammed, who said that the Federal government’s support had been responsible for the modest achievement of the FRSC over the years, appreciated the government for its advisory oversight.

He called on all and sundry to continue to support the Corps as it strives to create a safer motoring environment for the nation.

Metro

Sowore Mobilises Supporters For #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest

Published

16 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has urged Nigerians to join a nationwide protest demanding the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, despite a court order restricting demonstrations around key government areas in Abuja.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning, Sowore called on citizens to take to the streets in peaceful protest.

“Good morning, wherever you may be this morning, do not stop moving. Carry a sign, sing a song, make a statement!” he wrote.

He had earlier shared a message on Sunday night welcoming participants to the protest tagged#FreeNnamdiKanuNow.

“We warmly welcome everyone who has travelled from far and wide to join the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest tomorrow. Your courage, sacrifice, and solidarity speak volumes. Together, we are writing history,” he wrote.

Sowore announced that protesters would converge in front of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, at 7 am, urging them to “come ready, come peaceful, come determined.”

He also shared a Facebook post that read, “We want to put one million people on the streets of Abuja tomorrow for #FreeNnamdiKanuNow — let’s make it happen.”

However, the planned march comes in defiance of an interim injunction issued by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which restrained Sowore and other organisers from protesting in or around sensitive government areas, including the Presidential Villa, National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

Reacting to the reported order on Saturday, Sowore questioned its legitimacy and the perceived double standards of law enforcement.

“Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa; it begs the question: why hasn’t the same police force obtained a similar order against those protesting freely for three consecutive days opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s release?” Sowore asked.

“The hypocrisy is glaring. The double standards are undeniable,” he added.

The activist disclosed that his legal team, comprising 115 lawyers, would challenge the alleged court order once it is formally served on Monday.

He maintained that the planned October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would proceed as a peaceful and lawful march, declaring, “October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct. We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully.”

The demonstration also coincides with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests of October 2020, which culminated in the alleged Lekki Toll Gate massacre — a period now remembered for its call for police reform and justice for victims of brutality.

Metro

Police Fire Tear Gas At #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow Protesters In Abuja

Published

16 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

Security operatives on Monday fired tear gas canisters at protesters, including human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who had gathered in Abuja to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The protest, tagged #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow, was planned to take off from the Transcorp Hilton area and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but was disrupted as police officers moved in early, firing multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse participants and passersby.

The operatives, who had cordoned off the hotel and adjoining streets, began firing tear gas even before protesters arrived in large numbers.

A visibly tightened atmosphere was observed across the city on the way this morning.

Soldiers, police, and operatives of the Department of State Services were deployed to key locations, including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, Unity Fountain, and routes leading to Aso Rock.