Inadmissibility of Key Evidence: A significant development occurred on Thursday, May 29, 2025, when the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, rejected crucial evidence that the Federal Government sought to tender against Nnamdi Kanu. This included video recordings and written statements from October and November 2015.
The court ruled that these statements were inadmissible because Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer was not present when they were obtained, a mandatory requirement according to Supreme Court rulings and Section 15 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Nnamdi Kanu had claimed he made these statements under duress, and while the judge initially noted that the videos showed a “cordial” atmosphere, the absence of legal counsel ultimately rendered the evidence inadmissible.
Trial-Within-Trial” Concludes: This ruling came after a “trial-within-trial” was held to determine the admissibility of the statements. During this, Nnamdi Kanu himself took the witness stand, alleging coercion and solitary confinement by the DSS during his initial arrest in 2015. He claimed he was threatened and that some video recordings were edited.
A DSS operative (identified as Mr. CCC), the third prosecution witness, refuted Nnamdi Kanu’s claims, stating Kanu was given “presidential treatment” and expressed surprise at the allegations of duress. He denied any threats or solitary confinement, insisting Nnamdi Kanu spoke voluntarily.
DSS Presents Fresh Evidence (Post-Exclusion): Despite the rejection of the previous evidence, the DSS immediately presented fresh evidence against Kanu after the ruling. This included a video of an interview Nnamdi Kanu allegedly gave to Sahara Reporters in 2014, where he reportedly made threats against Nigeria.
Court Admitted Earlier Judgments: In mid-May, the court admitted three judgments as evidence, including one from the Abia State High Court that awarded N1 billion to Nnamdi Kanu for the unlawful invasion of his home by the military in 2017.
Sister-in-Law Banned from Court: Justice Omotosho banned Nnamdi Kanu’s sister-in-law, Favour Kanu, from attending further proceedings. She was accused of live-streaming court sessions and posting real-time updates, which the judge deemed as contempt of court.
Ongoing Themes and Future Dates:
- Allegations of Duress and Involuntariness: A recurring theme in the trial is Nnamdi Kanu’s assertion that statements made to the DSS were under duress, a claim the prosecution consistently denies.
- Continuation of Hearing: The case has been adjourned to June 13, 16, 18, and 19, 2025, for the continuation of the hearing, with the prosecution expected to conclude their case.
- Concerns about Trial Delays: The judge has previously expressed displeasure over alleged unprofessional conduct by Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team and warned against acts that could delay the trial, emphasizing the need for an accelerated hearing given Kanu’s prolonged detention.
Join our socials
https://www.instagram.com/stranacmedia/
https://x.com/stranacmedia
@stranacmedia For anyone looking to understand the magnitude of their influence, a deep dive into their online presence is crucial. This analysis explores their digital footprint, examining their traffic, revenue streams, video views, and overall online engagement to paint a comprehensive picture of their current standing. #davido #burnaboy #wizkid