By, Springnewsng media limited May 2,2025

A Department of State Services (DSS) witness on Friday admitted in court that Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was arrested without any weapons or incriminating items, and that his statement was obtained without a lawyer present.

Testifying before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the DSS operative—identified as Prosecution Witness 1 (PW1)—disclosed this during a cross-examination led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), counsel to Nnamdi Kanu.

The court session, part of the ongoing trial between the Nigerian government and Kanu, highlighted significant flaws in the prosecution’s case. PW1 confirmed that at the time of Kanu’s arrest, no arms or dangerous materials were recovered from him.

When asked directly whether a lawyer was present during Kanu’s statement, the DSS operative answered, “His statement was taken without his lawyer.”

Further questioning revealed the witness was part of the interrogation team but was not visible in the video footage presented as evidence. He clarified that his task was simply “to arrest Nnamdi Kanu, bring him to Abuja, and interview him.”

Items recovered during the arrest were reportedly submitted in court, but the witness confirmed they were not analysed and said most of them were over 10 years old. He also admitted Kanu’s phone was not included in evidence because it was deemed “immaterial.”

Chief Agabi pressed on, asking if in the past 10 years anyone had accused Kanu of committing a crime. The witness replied, “I didn’t.”

It was further revealed that Kanu was arrested alongside another person, who was neither found with incriminating evidence nor charged with terrorism.

When asked directly if any weapon or tool of violence was found on Nnamdi Kanu, the DSS witness said, “None.”

The court also heard that only one statement was taken from Kanu in Lagos, before additional ones were recorded in Abuja. The witness admitted that Kanu did not name any accomplices and that he didn’t know if anyone else was standing trial with him.

In a notable exchange, Agabi questioned the credibility of claims linking Kanu with Simon Ekpa, noting the witness’s source was social media. “So because of what you read from social media, you want my defendant to be sentenced to death?” Agabi asked.

The DSS witness responded, “I have said what I know. Simon Ekpa is working with him,” but admitted under questioning that he didn’t know whether Ekpa was on trial with Kanu.

Agabi concluded pointedly, “We are keeping counts of your ‘I don’t knows’, Mr. Witness.”

The resumed legal proceedings, covered extensively by SaharaReporters, have again brought national attention to the controversial arrest and trial of Nnamdi Kanu, raising questions about due process and evidence integrity in Nigeria’s criminal justice system