Legal Team Dismiss Claims That Nnamdi Kanu Admitted Inciting Attacks On Police
Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have debunked reports claiming that the IPOB leader admitted to inciting the public to attack police officers, describing the reports as “misleading” and a “malicious misrepresentation” of court proceedings.
Kanu’s Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, in a brief statement shared via X (formerly Twitter), dismissed the viral claims.
“The viral publications that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu ‘admitted inciting public to attack police’ is misleading & highly prejudicial,” he stated.
“The general public is hereby advised to draw no conclusions until the veracity of the witness is tested on cross examination, tomorrow or next.”
Similarly, IPOB, through a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, condemned the report, accusing the media organisation which published the report of deliberate distortion.
IPOB further alleged that the prosecution’s case against Kanu lacked credibility and integrity.
“For the avoidance of doubt, today’s court session exposed the Nigerian government’s prosecution as a cesspool of deceit, incompetence, and desperation,” Powerful said.
“The prosecution, led by Mr. Awomolo SAN, was caught in a web of lies and procedural violations that left their case in tatters.”
The group criticised the prosecution’s witness, identified as PW2-BBB, describing their testimony as baseless.
“The government’s witness, identified as PW2-BBB, made baseless allegations against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu without a shred of evidence to substantiate their claims,” IPOB noted.
“Shockingly, the prosecution failed to file or serve any evidence or witness statements as required by law, even four years after purportedly obtaining a statement from this witness.”
IPOB stated that the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, reprimanded the prosecution.
“This glaring violation of due process was so egregious that Justice James Omotosho, in his wisdom, cautioned the prosecution to adhere to legal standards and serve all necessary processes and exhibits.”
During the court session, Kanu discredited the witness, according to IPOB.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in open court, categorically stated that PW2-BBB is unknown to him and is nothing more than a mercenary hired to fabricate testimony against him,” IPOB said.
“IPOB can confirm that PW2-BBB is not an officer of the State Security Service (SSS) based at their national headquarters in Abuja, as falsely presented by the prosecution.
“This witness, cloaked in a mask to conceal their identity, is a paid agent deployed to perpetuate a travesty of justice.”
The statement further warned against the continued use of masked witnesses.
“Let it be clear: IPOB has, out of respect for the court and Justice Omotosho’s commitment to fairness, refrained from exposing the true identities of these so-called masked witnesses,” Powerful said.
“However, should the prosecution persist in this shameful charade of parading mercenaries to testify against our leader, we will be compelled to reveal the identities, addresses and family details of every past, present, and future witness, unmasking their roles in this orchestrated persecution.”
Rejecting claims of an admission by Kanu, IPOB said, “The claim that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu ‘admitted inciting the public’ is a perverse distortion of the truth.
“When questioned, PW2-BBB admitted, ‘I don’t know,’ regarding the status of his baseless allegations, which were previously struck out by the same court after adjudication.
“To twist this response into an admission of guilt by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not only disgraceful journalism but a deliberate act of Igbo-phobia and anti-Biafra propaganda.”
IPOB called on the public and media to focus on the prosecution’s shortcomings.
It said, “We call on the media and the public to focus on the substance of this case, the Nigerian government’s failure to present a credible case, their reliance on falsehoods, and their flagrant disregard for the rule of law, rather than frivolous distractions, such as the exclusion of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s sister-in-law from today’s proceedings over a minor infraction.”
The group described the prosecution’s case as weak and an embarrassment.
“Four years after initiating this trial, the prosecution has failed to file or serve evidence as required by law, exposing their agenda to detain our leader indefinitely through deceit and manipulation,” IPOB said.
“We commend Justice Omotosho for his insistence on due process and urge him to continue upholding the principles of fairness and justice in this matter,” the statement added.
“IPOB remains resolute in our pursuit of justice and the restoration of Biafra. We will not be deterred by the Nigerian government’s antics or the complicity of certain media outlets in spreading falsehoods.”
Reaffirming its stance, IPOB said, “We call on all people of conscience, both within Nigeria and in the international community, to see through the lies and stand in solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Biafran cause.
“The truth will prevail, and no amount of propaganda can extinguish the flame of justice.”
