An operative of the State Security Service (SSS), identified as BBB, testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that the SSS was not involved in the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya.
BBB, the second prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Kanu—leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)—told Justice James Omotosho during cross-examination that the agency only operates within Nigeria.
Responding to questions from Kanu’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), the witness denied the SSS kidnapped or arrested Kanu in Kenya, stating, “DSS did not kidnap Kanu in Kenya.
We are confined to Nigeria. We did not arrest Kanu in Kenya.”
While the witness could not confirm if Radio Biafra was still operational, he said Kanu had admitted to founding the station.
BBB also clarified that the SSS operates independently of political influence and is accountable only to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). He added that while the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) can send investigative requests, the AGF does not supervise the agency.
BBB denied being part of any foreign operation and maintained he had no role in Kanu’s apprehension abroad. When Erokoro claimed the SSS was involved in Kanu’s arrest in Kenya, the witness disagreed, stating that investigating how Kanu was brought back to Nigeria was not part of his assignment.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s colonial history but said he had not come across any instance where independence advocates were labeled terrorists. On historical references, he noted that Odimegwu Ojukwu, a former Nigerian Army officer, initiated the Biafran War, but Biafra was never a recognized entity in Nigeria.
The witness stated there was nothing wrong with peaceful agitation but alleged that Kanu’s broadcasts incited violence and killings.
When asked if he knew that Kanu had called on Simon Ekpa to cease violent actions, he said he was unaware.
Three court judgments in favor of Kanu were admitted into evidence. These rulings, from courts in Abia and Enugu states between 2022 and 2023, condemned the military invasion of Kanu’s home and declared his arrest and detention unlawful. However, BBB maintained that the SSS only arrested Kanu in Lagos and that the defendant had called for violence against security personnel.
He rejected the idea that such calls were self-defense and said he knew of no Nigerian law allowing individuals to kill others.
He also said he was unaware of any directive by the SSS Director General urging citizens to defend themselves, though he acknowledged that a former Defence Minister, Gen.
Theophilus Danjuma, had once accused the military of bias in handling security matters.
The defence eventually requested an adjournment, citing plans to present video recordings not yet available in court.
Prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) opposed the request, noting that the court had already set aside May 21 and 22 for concluding the cross-examination.
Justice Omotosho agreed to the adjournment but warned that if the defence