The Department of State Services has raised alarm over the plan by some people to forcefully kidnap IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu
In a shocking twist, the Department of State Service, DSS, on
Monday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that it has
uncovered plot by some pro-Biafra agitators, to invade the court and
forcefully free the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra,
IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.
The Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, who
made the allegation, told trial Justice John Tsoho that the DSS has
already commenced investigation on the planned invasion.
However, Kanu has asked the court to dismiss and acquit him because
of the inability of the federal government to produce any of the eight
witnesses scheduled to testify before the court. Kanu through his
lawyer, Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN, applied to be discharged and acquitted
of the charge against them.
They predicated their application on the provision of section
351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. Earlier, the
DPP informed the court that the witnesses said they would not appear to
testify against the defendants unless the are allowed to wear masks or
their identities shielded from both lawyers and people observing the
proceeding.
‘My lord this is because they are already receiving threats
from associates of the defendants that they will be dealt with. The
witnesses said they love their lives and requested that their identities
be shielded from people who are coming to witness the proceeding’, Diri added.
He said DSS operatives also billed to testify in the matter, made
similar request on the basis that they are investigating terrorism cases
and would not want their identities exposed. Justice Tsoho had on
February 19, refused an application by the federal government which
sought leave to mask the witnesses.
The application was vehemently opposed by counsel to the defendants
who urged the court not to allow ‘masquerades’ to testify before it.
Meanwhile, the parties are still exchanging arguments on the application
for the charge to be quashed and the defendants discharged and
acquitted.
It
would be recalled that Kanu alongside two other pro-Biafra supporters,
Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are facing a six-count treason
charge. Kanu has been in detention since October 14, 2015, when
he was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from
his base in the United Kingdom.
