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• June 15, 2025
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IPOB accuses Nigerian Govt of using dead man’s statement in Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has said the Nigerian government tendered a statement allegedly made by a “dead man” in the ongoing terrorism trial of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB made the assertion in a statement released by its spokesman, Emma Powerful. During the proceedings of June 13, 2025, an agent of the
IPOB accuses Nigerian Govt of using dead man’s statement in Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has said the Nigerian government tendered a statement allegedly made by a “dead man” in the ongoing terrorism trial of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB made the assertion in a statement released by its spokesman, Emma Powerful.

During the proceedings of June 13, 2025, an agent of the Department of State Services (DSS), while testifying for the prosecution, tendered a newspaper publication which contained a statement said to have been made by an IPOB member, Emeyiri Uzoma Benjamin, aka Onye Army. Onye Army allegedly said the group was able to get 30 heads for the burial of a commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN),

Nwokike Anyinayo Andy, popularly known as Ikonso, who was killed by security forces in April 2021 in Awomama, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.

The prosecution witness alleged that Kanu, in a broadcast, said 2000 heads would be used to bury the ESN commander.

However, in the statement titled ‘The Nigerian Government has finally reduced itself to tendering dead men’s statements in its failed case against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’, IPOB said Onye Army is late, adding that he did not make any statement in court.

IPOB alleged that the said Onye Army was killed in DSS custody.

Faulting the use of the statement as evidence, IPOB stressed that Onye Army cannot be available for cross examination to authenticate the claims.

The statement said, “The so-called trial of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, which has long degenerated into a circus, reached its lowest point yet in Abuja yesterday. In a desperate attempt to sustain their collapsed case, the Nigerian government, through Awomolo SAN, shamelessly presented as evidence a newspaper publication which purportedly quoted a man named Onye Army. According to Vanguard newspaper, Onye Army allegedly confessed that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu ordered him to kill 2,000 people, but he managed to kill only 30.

“Let it be made clear to the Nigerian public and the international community:
Onye Army never appeared in court. He never testified. His so-called statement was never given in court or even directly to the DSS investigators handling the case. Instead, it was PW-DDD — a DSS operative — who merely read out what Vanguard newspaper claimed that Onye Army said. Incredibly, PW-DDD admitted under oath that he never interviewed Onye Army and had no first-hand knowledge of any such confession.

“The most grotesque part of this charade is that Onye Army is dead — killed while in DSS custody. He is not available for cross-examination, verification, or confirmation of any statement attributed to him. This is not law. This is not justice. This is outright fraud upon the court.”

Further faulting the evidence, the statement added, “The Nigerian government has now fully descended into graveyard evidence—fabricating confessions of people they have killed—and tendering them through newspaper clippings. This scandalous conduct violates every known principle of Nigerian law, including:

“Section 29 of the Evidence Act: Prohibiting involuntary and unverified confessions.
Section 83(1) of the Evidence Act: Rendering third-party hearsay newspaper reports inadmissible.
Section 36(6) of the Constitution: Guaranteeing the accused the right to confront his accusers.
Section 36(8) of the Constitution: Prohibiting further prosecution where punishment has already been served or exceeded.”

The statement further insisted that Kanu’s trial is illegal, giving a number of reasons to justify the argument.

“Beyond the brazen evidentiary fraud, he trial itself remains fundamentally illegal for several reasons:

“No jurisdiction in Abuja: The Court of Appeal (CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022) has already ruled that the alleged offence, if any, occurred in Ubulisiuzor, Anambra State, and can only be tried by the Federal High Court in Awka — not Abuja. The continued proceedings in Abuja are in open contempt of that binding judgment.

“Violation of Customs Law (CEMA):
Under Section 178 of CEMA, jurisdiction lies only where the offence occurred or where the accused resides. Abuja meets neither condition. This Abuja trial is forum shopping and gross abuse of court process.

“Statute-barred offence: The alleged offence of importation of transmitter under CEMA carries a maximum limitation period of five years. More than five years have elapsed, rendering this prosecution legally dead on arrival.

“Excessive detention: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been illegally detained for nearly four years since his unlawful rendition from Kenya. This far exceeds the maximum penalty for the alleged customs offence, violating his constitutional rights under Section 36(8) and binding case law in Uzoukwu v. Ezeonu II (1991) 6 NWLR (Pt. 200) 708.

“Staged inspection exercise: The recent so-called inspection of a radio transmitter by Justice Omotosho inside DSS headquarters has no legal foundation. The Court of Appeal had already ruled that such matters belong in Awka, not Abuja. This exercise was nothing but media choreography to please bloodthirsty political hawks.”

IPOB added, “The entire proceeding is nothing but a well-rehearsed media circus designed to produce headlines, not justice. The Nigerian judiciary is being dragged into disrepute before the entire world. Every illegal act by this government in this matter only deepens Nigeria’s global disgrace.

“We remind the Nigerian government that injustice breeds chaos. No amount of manufactured evidence, fraudulent confessions, or forum shopping will destroy the truth. The whole world is watching this charade. The only honorable path left is for this sham trial to be terminated immediately.”

Declaring that “History will vindicate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”, the statement stressed that “IPOB remains unshaken” and “Justice will prevail”.

Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, is facing trial on terrorism-related charges before Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court. Justice Binta Nyako initially presided over the trial but the case was transferred to Justice Omotosho after she recused herself, following Kanu’s declaration that he has lost confidence in her judgement.

Kanu was first arrested in 2017 for agitating for an independent Biafra nation and later released on bail. He subsequently escaped to Europe after Nigerian soldiers invaded his residence in Afaraukwu, Abia State, during the Operation Python Dance.

In June 2021, Kanu was rearrested in Kenya and subjected to extraordinary rendition back to Nigeria. He has been detained in the DSS facility since then.

IPOB accuses Nigerian Govt of using dead man’s statement in Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

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Police summon Kano govt officials over alleged defamation

The Nigeria Police Force has summoned a senior official of the Kano Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA), Aminu Rabilu Tela, for questioning concerning an alleged case of defamation currently under investigation. A letter dated June 10, 2025, and signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Metropolitan Area Command, Kano, ACP Mohammed A. Wakil, confirmed the development.
Police summon Kano govt officials over alleged defamation

The Nigeria Police Force has summoned a senior official of the Kano Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA), Aminu Rabilu Tela, for questioning concerning an alleged case of defamation currently under investigation.

A letter dated June 10, 2025, and signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Metropolitan Area Command, Kano, ACP Mohammed A. Wakil, confirmed the development.

The letter was addressed to the Managing Director of KARMA, directing that Tela be released to appear before the Area Commander for an interview scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, at the Command Headquarters on Bank Road, Kano.

“This office is investigating a case of defamation of character, which was reported and is presently under investigation,” the letter read.

Citing Sections 123 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) and 50 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the police exercised their legal authority to summon Tela for the ongoing inquiry. The letter further directed the invitee to report to an officer identified as ACO II upon arrival, using a contact number.

While the letter did not provide details regarding the nature of the alleged defamation or the complainant’s identity, it emphasized that the case is being handled in line with due process.

In a brief chat with journalists, Tela confirmed receiving the police invitation and pledged to comply. “I received the letter and will honor the invitation as directed,” he said.

Asked whether he was aware of who filed the complaint, Tela responded, “At this moment, we are not aware of who lodged the complaint. However, we suspect it might be linked to internal disagreements among Kwankwasiyya-affiliated scholars. It appears some individuals are attempting to suppress our voices by involving the police.”

As at press time, police authorities have not disclosed further information on the case.

Police summon Kano govt officials over alleged defamation

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Tension in Ebonyi as murder suspect allegedly shielded by security operative walks freely

Tension is growing in Umuka community, Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State over the alleged murder of a young woman. DAILY POST learnt that the woman was allegedly last seen in the custody of a local youth. However, the community is claiming that the suspect is walking freely following protection by his relative
Tension in Ebonyi as murder suspect allegedly shielded by security operative walks freely

Tension is growing in Umuka community, Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State over the alleged murder of a young woman.

DAILY POST learnt that the woman was allegedly last seen in the custody of a local youth.

However, the community is claiming that the suspect is walking freely following protection by his relative who works in the Department of State Services (DSS).

They expressed their anger in a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command.

The petition was endorsed by the Village Chief and people of Umuka Community, through their legal representatives, Igwenyi, Igwenyi

While chronicling the events that led to the alleged murder of the young woman, they demanded immediate arrest of the suspect.

According to the lawyer, in the petition dated June 12, 2025, “Our client’s community is a very peaceful community ruled by enlightened persons namely, Chief Irem Okorie, (a retired school principal) and Dr. Barr Emenike Okorie (a retired staff of Chevron Plc).”

He, however, said trouble started during the burial of one Late Aju Nwokorie Aja on April 28, 2025.

He added that, “Around 7.00pm, a woman was allegedly caught trying to carry away a sleeping child during the event.

“The situation was quickly defused by the community chief, who insisted she be taken to the police.

“Bystanders who knew that the baby belonged to another person raised alarm…the attention of the Chief of the Community was drawn to the scene and he came and stopped any attack on the lady and directed that the lady should be taken to Okposi Police Station.”

The lawyer claimed in the petition that a youth, identified as Chichebem Okorie Ogudu, volunteered to escort the woman to the police station.

“This was done in the presence of several community leaders, including the ward councillor and the woman leader. However, the next morning, tragedy struck.

“The corpse of a lady was seen at Eke Okposi Motor Park close to the community. The volunteer (Chichebem) that supposedly took the lady to the police did not return back to report to the Chief or any of the villagers that he had dropped the woman at the Police station,” the petition stated.

He said it was not until days later that Chichebem was compelled to report to the police in Obiozara.

There, he was detained after making what was described as a “useful statement and allegedly naming accomplices. The case was then transferred to the State CID, Abakaliki.”

“Shockingly, things took a turn when a senior DSS official, allegedly a cousin to Chichebem, reportedly intervened in the matter.

“While the case was pending, a senior staff of Directorate of State Security (DSS) who is a cousin to the prime suspect (Enechi Agwu Ogudu) literally took over the case from the Police State CID and the name of Chichebem Okorie Ogudu, was suspiciously removed from the case,” the petition alleged.

Currently, while Maduabuchi John Ori and Eze Chidi Eze, two individuals named as accomplices, are remanded at the Correctional Service Centre in Abakaliki, the community alleged that the prime suspect, Chichebem, is walking freely in their midst.

“The crux of this petition is to alert you that the community is presently boiling because of the clear injustice.

“The prime suspect is walking about freely in the village because his cousin is a Senior Staff of DSS while others who do not have ‘big men’ are languishing at the Correctional Service Center,” the letter stated.

The community is now calling on the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police to act swiftly.

“We pray the Commissioner of Police to direct the immediate arrest and charging of Chichebem Okorie Ogudu for murder of the lady whose blood is crying to the high heavens,” the petition concluded.

Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Joshua Ukandu was yet to react to the issue.

Tension in Ebonyi as murder suspect allegedly shielded by security operative walks freely