A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday admitted into evidence a report submitted by the Department of State Services (DSS), which alleges that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), incited the killing of security personnel and destruction of public infrastructure during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Justice James Omotoso admitted the report during the resumed hearing of the terrorism trial against Kanu.
The report was tendered by the prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), through the fifth prosecution witness, identified only as Mr. EEE, a DSS operative, whose identity was concealed for security reasons.
Led in evidence by Awomolo, the witness testified that he was part of a team deployed to the South-East and other regions to gather intelligence and document the violent incidents that followed the #EndSARS protests.
“I know the defendant through the media. I have never met him personally,” Mr. EEE told the court.
He said his task was to document records of public property destroyed and security personnel killed during the unrest, which the DSS attributes to inciting statements made by Kanu.
Among the documents admitted as exhibits were a damage assessment report, death certificates of some security officials, and a certificate of compliance, all presented through the witness.
Although the defence raised objections to the admissibility of the documents, the court ruled to accept them, while reserving arguments on their admissibility for a later date.
According to the DSS report, the unrest led to the deaths of 186 police officers, 37 soldiers, and 10 DSS operatives. It also stated that 164 police stations and nine facilities belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were destroyed across 17 states, including Lagos, Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, and Rivers.
Under cross-examination, Kanu’s lead counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), challenged the credibility of the report and questioned the basis for linking Kanu to the violence.
“You were not part of the investigation into the defendant himself, correct?” Ikpeazu asked, casting doubt on the direct involvement of the witness in the probe of Kanu.
The trial continues.
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