Nnamdi Kanu admits establishing Radio Biafra in London, insists freedom fighting is no crime globally

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has admitted establishing Radio Biafra in London, insisting that freedom fighting is not a crime anywhere in the world.

The IPOB leader, who admitted fighting for the emancipation of the people of South East, South South and parts of Benue and Kogi, however said Radio Biafra was not registered with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in Nigeria, but registered in London because there was no need for its registration in Nigeria.

He told the court that freedom fighting is not a crime in any part of the world including Nigeria because it is a fundamental right.

While distancing himself from any form of violence in the country, the pro-Biafra agitator maintained that he was only exercising his constitutional rights as a freedom fighter.

Meanwhile, the federal government’s witnesses are testifying behind the curtains against Kanu, following the ruling by Justice James Omotosho permitting the federal government to shield its witnesses from the public glare.

The ruling was predicated on an ex-parte application filed by the prosecution team led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.

The court, gave permission for the proposed witnesses to testify behind a screen with their real names replaced with acronyms.

Awomolo, SAN, pleaded that identities of the witnesses needed to be protected for security reasons and in view of the serious nature of the case.

While the witnesses would be shielded from the public, they would however be seen by the judge.

The request was not opposed by Kanu’s team of lawyers led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.

Following the ruling, the prosecution opened its case against the IPOB leader by presenting its first witness, who was simply identified as PWAAA.

Kanu, whose trial started de-novo (afresh) following the reassignment of his case-file to Justice Omotosho, had earlier pleaded not guilty to a seven-count treasonable felony charge the government preferred against him.

Meanwhile, a video recording of Kanu’s interrogation by the DSS is being played in the open court, just as the  statement he made on October 15, 2015 was also being read.
Items in suitcases recovered from him in his hotel room in 2015 were also brought to the courtroom full display.

Kanu Agabi SAN did not object.