The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), resumed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with startling revelations made by a prosecution witness from the Department of State Services (DSS).
The witness, identified in court only as PW-AAA for security reasons, told Justice James Omotosho that Simon Ekpa, a known supporter of Kanu based in Finland, would soon be repatriated to Nigeria to face charges related to the secessionist campaign for a Biafran republic.
Court Proceedings and Testimonies
Under cross-examination by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, lead counsel to Kanu, the DSS operative—who was part of the 2015 Lagos hotel arrest team—confirmed that while no weapons were recovered during the operation, several electronic devices and other items were seized and tendered in court as exhibits.
Items Tendered in Court:
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Multiple laptops, iPads, and modems
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Mini drone speaker, camcorder, microphones, headphones
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Personal effects: wristwatches, perfumes, clothing, and two passports
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IPOB-related documents and membership cards
While none of the items were inherently weapons or classified as dangerous, PW-AAA argued that their potential use and the “intent” behind them could be of concern.
Notably, PW-AAA admitted that he did not personally analyse the contents of the devices recovered, as his primary assignment was to effect the arrest and secure the defendant’s statement.
Repatriation of Simon Ekpa
The mention of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based Nigerian known for his vocal advocacy for IPOB and alleged coordination of sit-at-home orders in the South-East, added a new international dimension to the trial. The DSS witness stated that steps were being taken to have him repatriated, although no official confirmation has been made by Finnish authorities.
Next Hearing Dates
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to May 6, 7, and 8, 2025, for the continuation of cross-examination.
LegalLinkz Analysis
This testimony underscores the Nigerian government’s intensified efforts not just to prosecute domestic agitators, but to bring alleged foreign collaborators into the judicial net. However, legal analysts on LegalLinkz.com caution that international repatriation—particularly from a country like Finland—would require compelling diplomatic and legal justification under mutual legal assistance treaties and human rights laws.
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