Fatima Saka
The family of detained Biafra agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has strongly condemned what it described as the deliberate misrepresentation of court proceedings by some media outlets in his ongoing terrorism trial.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the family decried a publication titled “Nnamdi Kanu Admitted Inciting Public to Attack Police, Witness Tells Court” as false, misleading, and aimed at tarnishing Kanu’s reputation.
Signed by Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the detainee’s younger brother, the statement accused sections of the media of twisting facts to suit a narrative detrimental to justice and public perception.
“The Kanu family strongly condemns the shameful and deliberate misrepresentation of court proceedings, as reported by certain media outlets,” the statement read. “The referenced article is a blatant distortion of truth, designed to mislead the public and damage Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s global reputation.”
They further criticized what they termed “anti-Biafra and Igbo-hating sentiments” in media reporting, which they said prioritize sensationalism over truth.
Citing proceedings from the resumed trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, the family noted that cross-examination of a Department of State Services (DSS) witness—identified as PW-AAA—exposed major gaps in the prosecution’s case.
According to the statement, the witness admitted ignorance of crucial facts, including charges that had been struck out by the court and specific allegations against Kanu. It emphasized that the witness’s repeated responses of “I’m not aware” could not be construed as an admission of guilt.
The family also dismissed testimony from another witness, PW2-BBB, as baseless and unsubstantiated, alleging he was a “mercenary” with no verifiable connection to the DSS or knowledge of the defendant.
They expressed concern over what they described as a media focus on trivial issues—such as the ejection of Kanu’s sister-in-law, Princess Favour Kanu, from the courtroom for streaming proceedings—rather than substantive developments in the case.
In response, the Kanu family urged the Federal High Court to allow live streaming of proceedings to ensure transparency and counter alleged misinformation.
“This case, which carries global interest, demands real-time access to proceedings to counter the propaganda peddled by government-aligned media,” the family stated. “The continued gagging of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team and family from engaging the media only enables the prosecution’s deceitful tactics.”
They praised the impartiality of Justice Omotosho but warned that ongoing distortion of facts threatened the integrity of the trial.
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The family concluded with a call to the media to retract what they described as false reports, and urged the public to demand accountability and reject “government propaganda.”
“This is not merely a trial, but a calculated attempt to silence a man who has dared to speak up for his people. We call on all justice-loving individuals to support our demand for transparency and live coverage of the trial,” the statement added.
