…says charge against Nnamdi Kanu grievous.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday rejected the evidence sought to be tendered by the Federal Government in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), iNews Times reports.
Justice James Omotosho ruled that the statements made by Nnamdi Kanu to the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2015 were inadmissible due to the absence of his lawyers during the interrogation.
The court held that the Supreme Court has mandated the presence of a lawyer for a defendant when making confessional statements, and security agencies must comply with this law.
Justice Omotosho emphasized that the charge against Kanu was a grievous one, requiring the presence of the suspect’s lawyer during the recording of his statements.
Nnamdi Kanu had alleged that the statements were made under duress, and he was denied access to his lawyer and subjected to solitary confinement.
He alleged that operatives of the DSS threatened him and asked him to say things about ex-President Jonathan and former Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, which were not his words.
The Federal Government’s witness, a DSS operative, however debunked these allegations, stating that Kanu was treated well and that he made the statements voluntarily.
The witness insisted that Nnamdi Kanu was never subjected to coercion and that all his complaints were addressed.
Justice Omotosho ordered a trial-within-trial to ascertain the voluntariness or otherwise of Kanu’s statements.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Omotosho ruled that the statements and video recordings obtained from Kanu in 2015 were inadmissible in law.
“The objection of the defendant’s counsel is upheld. The statements of October 23, 2015, and November 2015, earlier admitted in evidence, are rejected,” the Judge said.
The court’s decision has significant implications for the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing charges related to treasonable felony and terrorism.
The case continues, with the prosecution expected to present more admissible evidence.
