By John Umeh
A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted into evidence a radio transmitter allegedly smuggled into Nigeria by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The development marks a significant turn in Kanu’s ongoing trial, where he is facing charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, and unlawful possession of arms.
According to the prosecution, the radio transmitter—reportedly used for IPOB broadcasts—was a critical tool for disseminating secessionist propaganda and mobilizing followers of the separatist movement. The equipment, labeled as TRAM 50L, was allegedly imported and installed covertly to facilitate communication with supporters in Nigeria and abroad via Radio Biafra.
The prosecution argued that the transmitter played a central role in spreading messages that incited public unrest, challenged the authority of the Nigerian state, and promoted IPOB’s agenda to carve out an independent Biafran nation. The lead counsel for the government maintained that the acceptance of the device as evidence strengthens their case that Kanu used non-conventional methods to undermine national security.
Kanu’s legal team, however, opposed the move, questioning the authenticity and chain of custody of the device. They argued that the transmitter’s link to their client was unproven and that its admission could prejudice the court. Despite their objections, the presiding judge ruled that the transmitter met the threshold for admissibility under Nigerian law, stating that any issues concerning its relevance or weight would be evaluated during the course of the trial.
This latest ruling comes as the trial of Nnamdi Kanu continues to attract national and international attention. Human rights groups, legal observers, and political stakeholders are closely monitoring the proceedings, given the case’s potential implications for civil liberties, press freedom, and ethnic relations in Nigeria.
Kanu, who was rearrested in 2021 after fleeing the country while on bail, has consistently denied all allegations. He maintains that his activism is peaceful and constitutionally protected, centered on the right of self-determination for the Igbo people.
As the trial resumes in the coming weeks, the admission of the transmitter is expected to feature prominently in the prosecution’s efforts to establish a pattern of subversive communication and incitement attributed to the IPOB leader.
