Kanu’s Threat to Dismantle Nigeria Not Mere Boasting – FG

The Federal Government on Friday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu’s threat to break up Nigeria and declare a sovereign Biafra was a deliberate and dangerous act, not mere posturing.

Addressing the court, government counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, said the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) openly declared his intent in a broadcast on Radio Biafra, causing widespread fear and unrest across the country.

Awomolo made the submission in opposition to a no-case application filed by Kanu, who is facing a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism.

Describing the broadcast as “a fundamental security issue,” Awomolo said, “The defendant made a broadcast. He proudly declared himself as IPOB leader even when he knew that IPOB had been proscribed. He made a broadcast that the world will come to a standstill.”

He told the court that the remarks sparked widespread fear among Nigerians and encouraged violent attacks against security personnel.

“The law of Nigeria prohibits words capable of making Nigerians live in perpetual fear, threatening to bring Nigeria down. The aim is to create Biafra and not mere boasting, and there are consequences for such boasting,” the senior advocate added.

He further alleged that Kanu, during the broadcast, incited his followers to attack and kill police officers and their families, claiming that more than 170 security operatives were slain in the aftermath.

Awomolo urged the court to dismiss Kanu’s no-case submission and compel him to enter his defence, arguing that the application lacked merit.

However, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, faulted the prosecution’s case, urging the court to discharge and acquit his client. Agabi contended that none of the five witnesses presented by the Department of State Services (DSS) provided evidence linking Kanu to any act of terrorism.

He said the DSS operatives only obtained statements from the defendant and did not conduct any investigation into the allegations.

“The charges have been amended eight times, yet no one has testified that he was incited to violence by the defendant,” Agabi said. He maintained that Kanu’s comments were misinterpreted and did not constitute terrorism.

Addressing the controversial broadcast, Agabi argued that “the threat to bring the world down by Kanu was mere boasting and should not be used against him to justify terrorism offences.” He added that the call for self-defence is constitutionally protected and has also been echoed by prominent Nigerians such as retired General T.Y. Danjuma.

Agabi further criticised Kanu’s prolonged detention in solitary confinement, describing it as a violation of international law, which limits such confinement to no more than 15 days.

After hearing both sides, Justice Omotosho adjourned ruling on the application until October 10.