The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised alarm, accusing the Nigerian government of hiring a prosecution witness (PW-BBB) in the ongoing trial of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The group alleged that the witness was not a personnel of Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the group, the said individual is affiliated to a law firm and has no legitimate connection to DSS operations.
IPOB made the allegations in a statement signed by its spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful on Friday in Abuja.
The statement noted that the PW-BBB’s name and statement were never disclosed in the original list of prosecution witnesses served to the defense. It stated further that the last-minute substitution amounts to trial by ambush, a prosecutorial misconduct that should be rebuked and sanctioned.
IPOB therefore called on the trial judge Justice James Omotosho to take judicial notice of the development.
Parts of the statement read, “IPOB strongly condemns the Nigerian government’s continued abuse of legal process and deployment of deception in the ongoing trial of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The latest disgraceful development is the presentation of an individual referred to as Prosecution Witness BBB (PW-BBB) — a man who does not work for the Department of State Services (DSS) and who has been exposed under cross-examination as a government-planted mercenary.
“It is particularly alarming that PW-BBB’s name and statement were never disclosed in the original list of prosecution witnesses served to the defense. This last-minute substitution amounts to trial by ambush, a prosecutorial misconduct that should be rebuked and sanctioned.
“IPOB calls on the Honourable Justice James Omotosho to take judicial notice of this underhanded tactic and ensure such abuse of process is not permitted to taint the sanctity of the courtroom.
“Moreover, the facts surrounding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s detention are clear and verifiable. Solitary confinement is a standard DSS operational protocol, and numerous independent reports have confirmed that our leader is being subjected to this inhumane condition. UK consular staff who conduct periodic visits to Mazi Kanu are aware of this, and DSS internal records can corroborate it.
“We assure the public and the international community that the identity, role, and deception of PW-BBB will be fully exposed.
“The Nigerian government must be held accountable for its continued manipulation of the judicial process. Justice must prevail. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released unconditionally.”
