The Federal Government on Thursday closed its case in the ongoing trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, over charges bordering on terrorism and treason.
Naijaonpoint reports that the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), announced the closure after the fifth prosecution witness (PW5), codenamed EEE, concluded his testimony before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“I therefore close the case,” Awomolo declared, expressing confidence that the evidence tendered—including video broadcasts and intelligence reports—had sufficiently established a prima facie case against the IPOB leader.
Following the prosecution’s announcement, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of their intention to file a no-case submission, signaling that the defence believes the prosecution has failed to establish a case worth answering.
Earlier in the day’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho admitted into evidence a Department of State Services (DSS) report that allegedly connects Kanu to the killings of 186 police officers and the destruction of 164 police stations during the #EndSARS protests.
The report was tendered by Awomolo through PW5, a DSS operative identified only as EEE, citing security reasons.
“I know the defendant through the media. I have never met him face-to-face,” EEE told the court.
The operative said he was deployed to investigate the widespread destruction of public assets and the deaths of security personnel—acts he claimed were incited by Kanu’s broadcasts.
Exhibits admitted included a damage assessment report, death certificates, and a certificate of compliance. Although the defence objected to the admissibility of these documents, Justice Omotosho ruled to reserve arguments for a later date.
Under cross-examination by Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), counsel for the defendant, the DSS operative admitted that the voluminous report contained no direct link tying IPOB members to the deaths.
“There is no single caption that links deaths directly to IPOB on any page,” he said, while maintaining the assertion that Kanu’s statements incited violence.
Ikpeazu questioned NAIJAONPOINT ’s scope of investigation and pointed out that activist Aisha Yesufu, also vocal during #EndSARS, was not investigated.
“My assignment was not to investigate Biafra or individuals like Aisha Yesufu but to assess damage from the #EndSARS protest,” NAIJAONPOINT replied.
Pressed further, he conceded that photographs in the report bore no dates and that he had not signed the report.
“It is true that I didn’t sign the report, but I certified it as the secretary,” EEE said.
After hearing both parties, the court granted 14 days for the prosecution and defence to file written arguments on the no-case submission, and an additional two days for replies.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to July 18 for the adoption of final submissions on whether the trial should proceed or be dismissed.