In continuation of the terrorism trial of IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in an Abuja court today, the Nigerian federal government tendered the death certificate of Ahmed Gulak in evidence.
Gulak, an adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, was shot dead in Owerri, Imo State, on 29 May 2021 – a crime quickly blamed on the separatist movement. The group vehemently denied responsibility.
The government linked the killing to a Sit-At-Home order purportedly announced by Kanu’s followers. The government claimed the order led to deadly attacks across the South-east.
Witness Presents Gulak’s Death Certificate
On Wednesday, the second prosecution witness, identified only as BBB, testified behind a protective screen. The court had earlier ruled to shield witnesses in the trial.
The witness tendered a certified copy of Gulak’s death certificate. It was dated 18 July 2021 and obtained from the police in Owerri.
Under questioning by prosecution lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the witness said: “The sit-at-home order declared by Kanu led to Mr Gulak’s killing.”
The judge, James Omotosho, admitted the certificate as Exhibit PWJ after the defence raised no objection. The witness read the document aloud in court.
According to the certificate, “Mr Gulak was shot dead by IPOB hoodlums in 2021.”
The witness also confirmed that he had joined the team that investigated Gulak’s death.
Gulak was once a member of the PDP and later defected to APC. He chaired the 2019 APC governorship primary in Imo that produced Governor Hope Uzodimma.
He was attacked on his way to Abuja while visiting Owerri.
Agabi Denies Reports of DSS Denial
Defence lawyer Kanu Agabi (SAN) denied reports that the DSS denied his team access to Kanu. The judge had raised the issue following a social media post by defence team member Alloy Ejimakor.
Agabi said: “I was not denied access to the defendant. DSS officials were respectful.”
He explained that he had arrived earlier than scheduled and left when Ejimakor did not answer his calls.
Ejimakor admitted telling the team to come by 1 pm even though the actual appointment with DSS was for 2 pm. He said he was allowed in and saw Kanu without trouble.
“I thought Agabi was angry because DSS denied him entry,” Ejimakor said.
Agabi replied: “I got angry because he gave me the wrong time and didn’t take my calls.”
Justice Omotosho warned Ejimakor to act professionally. “You are a senior counsel. Please learn to act accordingly,” the judge said.
Kanu’s Interrogation, Detention Discussed
During cross-examination, the witness confirmed that he was part of the July 17, 2021 interrogation of Kanu. He said the video of the session showed everything that happened.
Agabi argued that the video did not show all sides and suggested that Kanu was being kept in solitary confinement.
The witness responded: “The DSS does not keep people in solitary confinement.”
Agabi pressed further: “Has the long detention affected the defendant’s mental state?”
The witness replied: “He did not appear angry or mad when we saw him.”
He admitted Kanu had been in detention since 2021 but said he had no knowledge of any psychological impact.
Agabi also asked if the DSS investigated the allegations independently or merely acted on a letter from the AGF.
The witness said: “We confronted him with the AGF’s letter. But we did not bring the AGF to meet him directly.”
He rejected the idea that the AGF’s letter forced the DSS to draw conclusions without proper investigation.
On Amotekun, the South-west regional security outfit, the witness said: “It was formed by governors as a vigilante group to improve regional security.”
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