The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Wednesday alleged that he was forced by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to make confessional statements following his 2015 arrest.
Kanu made the claim during a trial-within-a-trial ordered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to determine whether statements made during his initial interrogation were voluntary.
The hearing followed the testimony of a third prosecution witness from the DSS, identified as CCC, who told the court that Kanu was interrogated on October 21–24 and November 4, 2015. According to CCC, all sessions were video-recorded and followed by written statements. The prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adegboyega Awomolo, tendered two video CDs and three written statements as evidence.
While Kanu’s legal team initially raised no objection, his lead counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), later opposed the admissibility of the materials, insisting the statements were made under duress.
Kanu told the court he was denied legal counsel during interrogation and threatened with solitary confinement if he failed to cooperate. He claimed his daily one-hour outdoor time—approved for health reasons—was used as leverage to pressure him into making statements.
He further alleged that a DSS officer, one Mr. Brown, chained and blindfolded him in Lagos before flying him to Abuja, where he was warned of prolonged isolation unless he complied. Kanu maintained that the video recordings presented in court had been edited and that the written statements were dictated by DSS officials.
However, under cross-examination, the DSS witness insisted that Kanu was never threatened or coerced, and that the statements were made willingly.
Justice Omotosho directed both parties to submit their final written addresses by 9:00 a.m. on May 29. A ruling on the admissibility of the statements is expected on Thursday.