The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Nigerian government of presenting a false witness in the ongoing trial of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, alleging that the individual—identified as Prosecution Witness BBB (PW-BBB)—is not a genuine official of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement released on Friday by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group claimed that PW-BBB is actually linked to a private law firm, has no verifiable connection to the DSS, and was strategically planted to mislead the court.
According to IPOB, the prosecution failed to include the name and statement of PW-BBB in the initial witness list served to the defence team, describing his sudden appearance in court as “trial by ambush”—a tactic the group says constitutes prosecutorial misconduct.
“The latest disgraceful development is the presentation of an individual referred to as PW-BBB—someone who is not a DSS officer and was exposed under cross-examination as a government-sponsored impostor,” the statement said.
IPOB argued that the witness, under questioning, repeatedly gave evasive responses such as “I don’t know,” “It’s not my job,” and “No one informed me”, demonstrating he lacked the authority and factual knowledge to offer credible testimony.
The group urged Justice James Omotosho, the presiding judge, to take judicial notice of what it described as an abuse of court process, warning that allowing such a witness to testify threatens the integrity of the judicial system.
The statement further reaffirmed IPOB’s claim that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been held under inhumane solitary confinement, a fact they say is well-documented through UK Consular visits and internal DSS records.
“The attempt to lend legitimacy to the testimony of a coached outsider is not only a disservice to justice, but an affront to the Nigerian judiciary,” IPOB stated. “No government-planted actor can erase the truth.”
The group also appealed to the media and the international community to remain vigilant and avoid becoming platforms for state-sponsored disinformation.
“We assure the public that the truth about PW-BBB’s identity and role in this scheme will be fully revealed. The Nigerian government must be held accountable for manipulating the judicial process. Justice must prevail, and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released unconditionally.”
IPOB concluded by reiterating its commitment to exposing the alleged deception and irregularities in the case, calling for transparency, constitutional adherence, and an end to what it terms the ongoing persecution of its leader.
