An official of the Department of State Services (DSS) told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that the Eastern Security Network (ESN), established by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not legally recognised—unlike the Amotekun Corps in the Southwest.
Testifying as the second prosecution witness in Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial, the DSS officer clarified that while Amotekun is backed by laws enacted by the Houses of Assembly of all six Southwest states, the ESN operates without any statutory framework.
“ESN and Amotekun are not the same. Amotekun is recognised by law. ESN is not registered—it is illegal,” the witness said during re-examination by prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
This clarification came in response to earlier evidence tendered by defence counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN), who presented three video recordings as part of the defence’s argument. The videos, admitted by the court, included remarks from the DSS Director General advocating for community policing initiatives with security agency oversight, and controversial comments by former Defence Minister General Theophilus Danjuma.
In one of the videos, Danjuma accused the armed forces of colluding with bandits, warning citizens not to rely on the military for protection. The DSS witness confirmed Danjuma’s identity but declined to interpret his statement.
Another video showed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma blaming politicians for killings in his state. When asked whether the governor’s remarks contradicted the DSS position blaming IPOB for attacks in Orlu, the witness said DSS investigations were specific, with named victims linked to IPOB’s enforcement of Kanu’s sit-at-home order.
The defence also presented the Lagos State Judicial Panel’s #EndSARS report, which the DSS witness acknowledged did not indict IPOB nor categorise the protests as terrorism.
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case till May 28 and 29, June 6, 16, 18, and 19, giving the prosecution six days to conclude its case, after which the defence will be given nine days to present its own witnesses.
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