The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday admitted as exhibits series of video clips showing Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, announcing the creation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and ordering lockdown in the South-East. In the videos played in open court, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was seen issuing statements considered inflammatory by the Federal Government, upon which the terrorism charges were filed against him.

One of the videos was tagged ‘Broadcast by Nnamdi Kanu’, and Kanu was visibly seen addressing his followers on what he called “The Blessed Land of Biafra.” He announced the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), urging followers to defend their land against what he referred to as “Fulani domination”.

Kanu warned political leaders in the region against compromise and issued a directive forbidden the presence of Fulani herdsmen, stating: No Fulani parading as herdsmen shall be allowed in the land. The Federal Government, through its witness code-named PWBBB, claimed that the broadcast incited acts of terrorism across the South-East.

The witness was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. During his evidence, he tendered a flash drive containing recordings of Kanu’s activities before he was apprehended for inciting violence and terrorism. The device was admitted as evidence alongside a certificate of compliance, despite vehement objections from Kanu’s lawyers. They were marked as Exhibits PWA and PW1, respectively.

Earlier in the session, the court admitted a letter dated June 17, 2021, authored by the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), which accused Kanu of terrorism, murder and incitement to violence. The letter, addressed to the DSS, was tendered without objection and marked as Exhibit PWF. The Federal Government lawyer thereafter requested an adjournment to continue playing the remaining footage, noting it exceeded an hour. The defence raised no objections, prompting Justice James Kolawole Omotosho to adjourn the matter to May 8 for continuation of trial.