A Federal High Court in Abuja has accepted into evidence a report from the Department of State Services which allegedly associates Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, with the deaths of 186 police officers and the destruction of 164 police stations during the #EndSARS protests.

Justice James Omotoso admitted the report during Thursday’s resumed hearing in Kanu’s terrorism trial.

The prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), presented the report through the fifth prosecution witness, identified as Mr EEE for security reasons.

EEE, a DSS operative, said he was part of a team deployed across the South-East and other regions to gather intelligence and compile reports on the violence that followed the #EndSARS movement.

“I know the defendant through the media. I have never met him face-to-face,” the witness stated.

He explained that his role involved collecting records of property damage and deaths of security personnel allegedly provoked by Kanu’s statements.

The court accepted a damage assessment report, death certificates of some officers, and a certificate of compliance, all presented by Awomolo through the witness.

While the defence contested the admissibility of the documents, arguments on the matter were deferred.

The witness said the unrest led to 186 police deaths, 37 military casualties, and 10 DSS operatives killed. He added that 164 police stations and nine INEC facilities were destroyed in 17 states including Lagos, Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, and Rivers, allegedly due to Kanu’s inciting remarks.

During cross-examination, defence counsel Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) questioned the reliability of the report and the justification for linking Kanu to the events.

“You were not part of the investigation into the defendant himself, correct?” Ikpeazu asked.

“I was tasked to investigate the destruction of public property based on the statements of the defendant. He gave instructions to IPOB members to kill officers,” EEE replied.

Ikpeazu queried whether Kanu’s remarks were tied directly to the #EndSARS protests or IPOB actions and also asked if activist Aisha Yesufu was investigated.

“My assignment was not to investigate Biafra or individuals like Aisha Yesufu but to assess damage from the #EndSARS protest,” the witness responded.

He noted that although the protests stemmed from “organic issues like police brutality,” they were “hijacked by subversive elements” who stirred violence against the state.

When asked for specifics, the witness acknowledged he could not pinpoint any section in the report that directly linked the deaths to IPOB members. “It is a voluminous document. There is no single caption that links deaths directly to IPOB on any page,” he said.

Ikpeazu pointed out flaws in the report, such as missing photo dates, lack of signatures, and absent information about the deceased and the medical examiners. The witness admitted the report was certified in his capacity as secretary, but he did not personally sign it.

“You did not sign this report. In fact, none of the photographs show the dates they were taken,” Ikpeazu said, implying the report was prepared after the trial began, a claim the witness denied.

Prosecuting counsel Chief Awomolo (SAN) stated that evidence had been successfully presented and urged the court to consider the prosecution’s prayers.

Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), entered a no-case submission and indicated they would proceed to make their case.

The court gave both parties 14 days to file written arguments on the no-case submission and two additional days for legal replies.

Justice Omotoso scheduled July 18 for the adoption of the no-case submission.

A high court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has granted bail in the sum of N50 million to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central.

In her ruling on Thursday, presiding judge Chizoba Orji dismissed the federal government’s request to have Akpoti-Uduaghan remanded in prison custody.

Orji said there was no justification to deny the defendant bail, noting that there was “sufficient evidence” of her willingness to stand trial.

The court also directed the senator to provide one surety who must be a “person of integrity” and possess landed property in Abuja.

More to come…

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as turning a condolence visit to Benue into a fanfare.

Posting on Thursday via X, Obi said the president’s choice of clothing and the general mood of the visit did not reflect the seriousness of the tragedies that affected Benue and Niger states.

He said, “We pleaded that the president should show leadership and visit Benue and Niger states in the spirit of deep national mourning, to offer compassion and solidarity to families torn apart by the senseless massacre of over 200 innocent Nigerians in Benue state and flooding that killed similar number in Niger state.”

Obi added that instead of a somber and reflective occasion, the president’s visit looked more like a celebration fit for a road commissioning event.

He criticised Tinubu’s outfit, describing it as a “celebratory agbada attire” unsuitable for the moment.

According to Obi, “The president arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire, like it was an occasion for joy.”

He also faulted the Benue government for declaring a public holiday and closing schools, saying the activities organised were not meant for mourning or prayer but for fanfare.

“Children who should be mourning their slaughtered classmates and parents were instead lined up under the rain, rehearsed to sing and dance for the president,” he said.

“In what kind of country does this happen?”

Obi referred to the entire event as a “charade”, lamenting how condolence visits had become celebratory occasions.

He said, “We have tragically arrived at a point where condolence visits have become carnivals.”

Obi added that a time meant for quiet reflection was now filled with banners, music, and rehearsed displays, even though innocent lives had been lost.

He noted that the efforts and funds used for the visit could have been directed toward supporting victims through food, shelter, medical help, school needs, and trauma care.

Obi pointed to examples of leadership from abroad, noting how President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Modi visited sites of tragedy with dignity and restraint.

“When President Ramaphosa visited Mthatha after the floods in South Africa, there were no drums. No staged crowds. No rented cheers. Just presence, silence, and action,” he said.

“When Prime Minister Modi went to the site of a crash, no one lined up to welcome him. He came, he mourned, he acted. That is what leadership looks like in moments of pain.”

He warned that Nigeria is becoming numb to mass violence and accused the government of showing no empathy.

He said, “We are not at war yet our nation is bleeding, and we are clapping. It is not only insensitive, it is dangerous.”

“Let us not forget: these were human beings, children, mothers, fathers whose blood cries out for justice.”

He concluded that when tragedies are turned into campaign-like events, the nation is losing its soul.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu, during a town hall meeting in Makurdi on Wednesday, pledged to work with Governor Hyacinth Alia to restore peace in Benue.

Tinubu told Alia, “You’re elected under the progressive banner to ensure there’s peace, stability, and progress so that we can come and commission projects, rejoice with you on progress, value, and things of joy.”