22
May
May
KANU’S TRIAL: GOVERNMENT WITNESS SAYS AMOTEKUN IS LEGAL, ESN ISN’T
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CapitalTimesNews / 1 week
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A government witness in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has testified that Amotekun, a security outfit created by governors of southwestern states, is a registered vigilante group recognized by the Federal government, while the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of IPOB, is not. The witness, codenamed Mr BBB, stated this while giving his testimony at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He clarified that while Amotekun operates within the law, ESN operates illegally. When questioned about a video of governor Hope Uzodinma, where he claimed that killings in Imo State were politically motivated and not by IPOB members, the witness dismissed the claims. “Victims of killings in the southeast include security operatives and ordinary citizens and not just politicians,” he said. The witness also agreed with the Department of State Services (DSS) Director General’s statement that community policing must be guided by security agencies to forestall anarchy. The trial judge, James Omotosho, expressed his displeasure over attempts to cause unnecessary delays in the hearing of the case. He warned all parties to be well aligned with his position on the accelerated hearing of the matter. The defense team tendered several videos, including one by the DSS DG, where he urged communities to be the “first line of defense” in addressing insecurity and to be guided by security agencies in their approach to security. The judge adjourned the case till May 28 and 29, and June 6, 16, 18, and 19, giving the prosecution six days to prove and close its case.
