The second prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peopele of Biafra (IPOB) has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is illegal, in contrast to the Amotekun Corps which operates under lawful backing.
Testifying before Justice James Omotosho under the pseudonym “BBB”, the witness responded to questions during re-examination by lead prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), comparing Amotekun and ESN.
He stated that Amotekun was established through laws enacted by the state Houses of Assembly across the South-West, while ESN lacks any such legal framework.
The witness added that the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) had previously advocated for community policing, but only under the supervision of official security institutions.
Earlier in the session, defence counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN) tendered a flash drive containing three video recordings, which were admitted into evidence and played in open court.
One of the videos showed the DSS DG addressing a public audience where he promoted grassroots defence efforts.
“The practical approach to mobilising people is to get everyone involved. It is impossible for the security agencies to deploy to every part of the country.
> What we need to do is to make communities set up a first line of defence. We have to allow some level of armament for the communities to rise and defend themselves first, but under the guidance and approval of security agencies. The time to start it is now.”
When cross-examined on whether the DG was calling for citizens to arm themselves, the witness clarified that the call was strictly tied to oversight by the proper authorities.
Another video featured General Theophilus Danjuma, a former Defence Minister, alleging that elements within the military were complicit in ongoing violence.
When asked to interpret Danjuma’s comments, the witness refused to speculate, “Erokoro should direct such a question to Danjuma himself.”
The final video showed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma decrying the killings in his state, attributing them to unnamed politicians.
Erokoro attempted to contrast this with the DSS’s claim that IPOB was responsible for violence in Orlu, Imo State.
“Our investigation revealed those who were killed by suspected IPOB members, and we mentioned their names. The governor did not mention any names of the people he said were killed,” the witness replied.
He reaffirmed that IPOB had been declared a terrorist organisation by court order and that Kanu remained affiliated with the group both before and after its proscription.
The witness also responded to questions about the 2020 EndSARS protests, confirming they were aimed at disbanding the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police. He acknowledged that states like Lagos and agencies like the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had established investigative panels following the protests.
Erokoro pointed out that the Lagos State judicial panel’s report neither identified IPOB as a participant nor labelled the protests as terrorism.
Before adjourning, Justice Omotosho instructed the prosecution to wrap up its case within six days, while the defence was given nine days to present its argument.
Further hearings were scheduled for May 28 and 29, as well as June 6, 16, 18, and 19.
