Nnamdi Kanu Treated Like a President in Custody, DSS Tells Court.

Nnamdi Kanu Treated Like a President in Custody, DSS Tells Court

— A Department of State Services (DSS) operative on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), received "presidential treatment" during his detention by the secret police.

The statement came during a trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of several statements Kanu allegedly made while in DSS custody in 2015. The defendant claims those statements were extracted under duress.

The DSS operative, identified only as Mr. CCC, appeared as the third prosecution witness and dismissed Kanu’s claims that threats of solitary confinement were used to coerce him. Kanu had alleged that a DSS officer named Mr. Brown threatened him with confinement in a “dungeon.” However, the witness clarified that the interviewing officers were named James, Ibrahim, and Collins—none of whom bore the name Brown.

Mr. CCC also told the court that Kanu was granted preferential treatment and expressed surprise at allegations of coercion. He rejected claims that the IPOB leader was forced into making statements critical of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari or accusing former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, of “Islamising” his people.

Three video recordings were tendered as evidence by the prosecution, including footage showing Kanu inspecting a radio transmitter allegedly smuggled into the country. The court also admitted three written statements made by Kanu at DSS headquarters on October 23, 24, and November 4, 2015, along with videos of his oral statements from October 21 and 23.

Justice James Omotosho ruled in favour of conducting a trial-within-trial to resolve the dispute over the voluntariness of the statements, noting that the law mandates such a procedure when duress is alleged.

In the videos played in court, Kanu reportedly admitted to founding and directing Radio Biafra. He also claimed the Biafra secessionist movement receives global support, with representatives in over 80 countries.

Taking the witness stand during the hearing, Kanu testified that a DSS operative struck him upon his 2015 arrest in Lagos but later apologized en route to Abuja.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to Thursday, May 29, 2025, for the continuation of the hearing and to deliver a ruling on the admissibility of the contested statements.

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