AT the resumed trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, May 2, a witness attached to the Department of State Service (DSS), told the court that no weapon of terrorism was found on him on October 14, 2015, when he was arrested in one of the rooms at Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos International Airport.
The witness, whose identity was shielded for security reason, told the court that the lady found inside the hotel room with Kanu equally had no weapon in her possession.
Giving evidence under the codename, PWAAA, the witness admitted that most of the items retrieved from the hotel room were Kanu’s personal belongings, including materials for radio broadcast.
PWAAA, who testified behind a protective shield, maintained that though the recovered items may not be ordinarily harmful, their intended usage by the defendant could be a source of problem.
While being cross-examined by Kanu’s legal team, led by a former attorney general of the federation and minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), the witness listed the items recovered from Kanu to include one Black laptop; two multi mix transmitters; one mini white Apple iPad, with pouch; one Grey Apple iPad, with pouch; one Grey MacBook, with pouch; one Grey MacBook, with case; one mini drone sound wave speaker; two mini white speakers; one large computer mouse; one white adaptor; one laptop adaptor and one carton bag with laptop.
Others were two 3G modems; two Glo modems; one Glo Hawaii modem; one MTN modem; one Etisalat modem; one flash drive; one camcorder; one hand recorder, in a black pouch; one MacBook Pro adaptor; one mic stand; one Phillips headphone; one radio sharp mic, with cord; one Pro sound mic, with cord; one 4G LTE modem; a bunch of cards; one Power adaptor for mixer, among others.
1 Easy Blaze white modem, 1 Samsung phone,1 Black Motorola phone and 1 Nokia phone.
The recovered items, which were brought before the court in four suitcases, were earlier admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits by trial Judge, Justice James Omotosho.
Answering more questions during cross-examination, the witness admitted that he did not analyse any of the items, as he was only mandated to arrest the defendant and obtain his statement.
Though the PWAAA admitted that Kanu’s phones were eventually analysed, he said the report of the analysis was not tendered before the court, as it was not considered important.
The witness acknowledged that since over 10 years that the items were taken away from Kanu and confiscated, they would have lost their value or expired.
More so, the witness admitted that at the time Kanu’s statement was obtained, none of his lawyers were present to observe the process.
Asked if he was aware of other persons also facing trial over Biafra agitation, the witness answered in the negative, saying he does not know any person facing a similar trial as Kanu.
He, however, told the court that he was aware that one Simon Ekpa has been arrested and would soon be brought back to Nigeria to face trial for supporting Kanu’s agitation.
He told the court that he could not remember any time that Kanu complained about corruption in high places, high unemployment rate among youths or when he tendered apologies for insulting the President and Igbo leaders.
The operative further told the court that he could not remember anytime Kanu described IPOB as a non-violent voluntary organisation.
While acknowledging that there have been killings in some part of the country, especially in the North, the witness said he was aware that the government has been doing its best to stem the tide, adding he does not know if the killings had anything to do with any form of agitation for self-actualisation.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until May 6, 7 and 8 for continuation of the cross-examination.
Kanu, who was arrested upon his return to the country from the UK, is answering to a seven-count charge the FG preferred against him.
