By Anthony Ochela, Abuja
A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that unlike the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the Amotekun corps operating in the South-West is backed by law.
The clarification came during re-examination by the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, following a cross-examination of the witness, code-named “BBB”, by the defense team led by Paul Erokoro, SAN, who stood in for Kanu’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN.
The witness, under reexamination, drew a sharp contrast between Amotekun, which he described as “recognized by law,” and ESN, which he said has no legal standing.
According to the witness, ESN is not registered and not recognized by law while Amotekun is registered.
The ESN is the paramilitary wing of IPOB, declared a terrorist group by the Federal Government in 2017.
The Nigerian authorities have consistently accused the group of violent agitation in the South-East.
Justice James Omotoso, who presided over the trial, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of proceedings, warning that he would no longer tolerate delays.
“Somebody is in detention. We cannot continue this way. I have granted accelerated hearing and we have not achieved anything much ” he said.
He issued a strict timeline, giving the prosecution six days to call all its witnesses, failing which the court would deem the case closed and shift to the defense.
The defense was granted nine days in return subject to any special circumstances that may interplay in the cause of the trial.
Earlier, Erokoro had asked the court to allow the playing of selected video evidence aimed at showing the context of alleged inciting broadcasts attributed to the defendant.
The court admitted a flash drive and certificate of compliance but initially delayed the video playback over procedural concerns.
Among the videos played was one featuring the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, suggesting that communities could be allowed to defend themselves in coordination with security agencies.
Another clip featured retired Gen. Theophilus Danjuma warning about the limitations of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
When asked by the prosecution what the takeaway from the DG DSS’s statement was, the witness said: “He said there should be community help done along with security agencies.”
On another clip involving Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, where he allegedly suggested that “wicked politicians” were behind killings and not IPOB, the witness said security investigations are not based on political affiliations.
Despite several objections from the prosecution during cross-examination, the court allowed some of the contested videos to be replayed “in the interest of justice.”
The trial has been adjourned to May 28, 29, and June 6, 16, 18, and 19, with the judge warning both parties to adhere strictly to the schedule.
Kanu is facing terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government, following his rendition from Kenya in 2021 but has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
