Biafra: Some People Planning To Abduct Kanu In Court – DSS

The Department of State Service, DSS, on Monday, told a Federal High Court, Abuja, that it has uncovered plot by some pro-Biafra agitators, to invade the court and forcefully free the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

The federal government was to open its case against Kanu who is facing a six-count treason charge alongside two other pro-Biafra supporters, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

The Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, told trial Justice John Tsoho that the DSS has already commenced investigation on the planned invasion.

Meantime, following the inability of the federal government to produce any of the eight witnesses scheduled to testify before the court, the defendants, through their lawyer, Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN, applied to be discharged and acquitted of the charge against them.

They predicated their application on the provision of section 351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The Federal Government had earlier prayed for secret trial to allow witnesses to wear masks or their identities shielded from both lawyers and people observing the proceeding, saying that witnesses are allegedly receiving threat to their lives over the case. Justice Tsoho had on February 19, refused an application by the federal government which sought to mask the witnesses.

Reiterating this position today, the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri said; ‘My lord this is because they are already receiving threats from associates of the defendants that they will be dealt with. The witnesses said they love their lives and requested that their identities be shielded from people who are coming to witness the proceeding’.

He said DSS operatives also billed to testify in the matter, made similar request on the basis that they are investigating terrorism cases and would not want their identities exposed.