On Tuesday, the Federal Government began its case against Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
They presented details of his arrest in 2015 at a hotel in Lagos, where he was allegedly found with a young woman and broadcasting equipment.
The first witness for the prosecution, referred to only as AAA – an 18-year veteran of the Department of State Services (DSS) – gave evidence behind a screen at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He stated that Kanu was apprehended on the 14th of October, 2015, at the Golden Tulip Hotel near Lagos International Airport.
Justice James Omotosho had previously agreed to the government's request to keep the witnesses' identities secret, due to the sensitive nature of the case.
AAA explained how DSS agents, unable to find Kanu on the hotel's guest list, searched room by room and found 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, adding that the room contained advanced radio equipment, allegedly used for Radio Biafra broadcasts.
The equipment was seized and taken to the DSS office in Lagos, where Kanu reportedly signed a document acknowledging ownership. The following day, he was questioned, and the recorded session – played in open court – was accepted as evidence.
In the recording, Kanu admitted to founding and running Radio Biafra without a Nigerian broadcast licence. He said he knew it was illegal but claimed he wouldn't have been granted a licence even if he'd applied.
He described himself as a freedom fighter, advocating for the liberation of people from the South-East, South-South, and Middle Belt regions, citing the right to self-determination under the United Nations Charter. He denied any involvement in violence.
Kanu also confirmed his role as a communications engineer and revealed that Radio Biafra had staff in the US, Russia, Italy, and Sweden, but not in Nigeria. He said Nigerians voluntarily shared the station's messages.
The court also heard that a request from the defence, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kanu Agabi, to allow 22 lawyers was denied. Justice Omotosho maintained the previously agreed limit of 13.
Other members of the defence team include Audu Nunghe, Joseph Akubo, Emeka Etiaba, and Onyechi Ikpeazu.