The trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, continued on Wednesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu is standing trial over terrorism allegations brought against him by the federal government before the Justice James Omotosho-led Federal High Court in Abuja.
During the proceeding, prosecution presented a number of evidence in support of terrorism-related charges against the separatist leader.
The evidence were presented in trove of video and audio recordings.
Here are the key 10 controversial Nnamdi Kanu statements admitted in court as evidence as of Wednesday, May 5, 2025.
1. Establishment of Eastern Security Network (ESN) and resistance against “Fulani domination”
In one of the video clips played in court, reportedly recorded on December 12, Kanu is heard addressing followers from “the blessed land of Biafra.”
He declared the establishment of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and urged resistance against what he described as “Fulani domination.”
In the video, he also warned governors in the region against political compromises, vowing that “no Fulani parading as herdsman shall be allowed in our land.”
2. Burn down Lagos
In another video that was played in court, one voice which the DSS witness said belongs Nnamdi Kanu could be heard telling people to “go and burn down Lagos”, “set Murtala Mohammed Airport on fire”, “burn down that Tinubu hotel”, “go into the bush, collect policemen’s guns and kill them”, etc.
3. Kill Nigerian soldiers
In an audio clip allegedly recorded during the #EndSARS protest, Kanu is heard telling listeners to “start killing soldiers now” and to “dig holes on the roads” to ambush military vehicles.
4. Set Federal Government building on fire
Also, in another video, that same voice that is allegedly Nnamdi Kanu’s could be heard saying “every Federal government building in Lagos should be set on fire. Any government vehicle you see, burn them. Manufacture your own weapons, ambush them”.
5. Siezed guns and kill any security operatives on sight
According to a petition admitted in court, Kanu is accused of directing attacks on security operatives via broadcasts, saying they should be “brought down” and their weapons seized for further violence.
6. Burn sit-at-home defaulters inside shop
In a voice recording enforcing IPOB’s sit-at-home orders, Kanu allegedly threatens civilians: “If you dare open your shop tomorrow, we’ll burn you inside that shop.”
7. Look for Tinubu – He’s in trouble
Kanu allegedly issued personal threats against then-political leader Bola Tinubu, declaring: “Tinubu is in trouble. Anywhere he runs to in this world we will find him.”
8. Use siezed guns to kill others
In a phone conversation played in court, Kanu allegedly instructed someone to use weapons already in Edo State to “kill some army officers” and “use it to attack the others.”
9. Join elite Biafra volunteer force
One of the callers that said he’s from Ogbor Hill in Aba said they need guns, but the alleged Nnamdi Kanu’s voice told him to join “the elite Biafra volunteer force” and he would understand how things work.
10. N100m for Wike’s head
In another recording, the alleged voice of Nnamdi Kanu was heard saying he would pay anyone N100 million to take down former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike.
In the video, Kanu claimed that Wike had earlier placed a N50 million bounty on the heads of some IPOB members, so he was now doubling the offer for anyone who could kill Wike.
Nnamdi Kanu denies responsibility for Lagos violence during EndSARS protests
Meanwhile, Kanu has denied any involvement in the destruction of property that occurred in Lagos State during the October 2021 EndSARS protests.
Kanu made the denial during the court hearing on Thursday, May 8, 2025, when government prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo presented the second witness, referred to as Mr. BBB, to continue his testimony.
When DSS officers questioned whether he was aware that his October 20, 2020 broadcast allegedly incited violence, killings, and destruction of public infrastructure in Lagos, Kanu responded:
“Lagos is not Biafran territory, so whatever happened in Lagos cannot be attributed to me.”
The interrogation continued with DSS officers asking Kanu whether he held authority over all people in Nigeria’s Southeast region. He firmly denied having such control, stating:
“If I had that kind of authority over them, I wouldn’t be calling for a referendum. I would simply wake up one day and declare Biafra.”
Kanu emphasised IPOB’s decentralized structure, explaining; “We have a republican orientation. Anyone claiming to control the Eastern people is mistaken. We are republican by nature.” While acknowledging his leadership of IPOB, he clarified that day-to-day operations are managed by the group’s Directorate of State.
When confronted with allegations linking IPOB members to violence and killings, Kanu strongly rejected the claims:
“You’re just looking for something to pin on IPOB to label it a violent organization.”
Regarding his May 30, 2021 sit-at-home order, Kanu admitted issuing the directive but denied enforcing compliance:
“It’s like when your child misbehaves and you say ‘I’ll kill you today’ – does that mean you’ll actually kill the child?”
In his concluding remarks, Kanu identified those who ordered military action against his residence as the true adversaries, revealing:
“The person who asked the army to attack my house is the real enemy, because I was already in discussions with prominent Southeast leaders, including Professor Ben Nwabueze, to find a political solution to this matter.”
