Investigations reveal that Radio Biafra transmitters were connected to MTN masts

INVESTIGATIONS into the operation of Radio Biafra has revealed that its transmitters were connected to official MTN masts in Enugu and Anambra States despite it being a pirate operation whose activities were illegal by law.

 

Campaigning for the recreation of the defunct Biafra Republic that briefly existed between July 1967 and January 1970, the radio station spread secessionist messages on the airwaves. It was subsequently banned and denied a broadcasting licence but continued to operate as an illegal underground pirate radio station.

 

On October 17, Radio Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu was arrested by security men after he visited the country from the UK, where he operates from. His arrest sparked a wave of protests but he is facing six charges, including terrorism and investigations into the activities of Radio Biafra have intensified since his arrest.

 

It has now emerged that Radio Biafra transmitters were connected to the masts of telecommunications giant MTN in Enugu and Anambra States. One of the defendants charged along with Mr Kanu is a field maintenance engineer, David Nwawuisi, charged with the responsibility of maintaining the MTN masts in Enugu State.

 

One other defendant, Benjamin Madubugwu, living in Ubilisiuzo in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, was said to have received custody of a container housing transmitters from Mr Kanu. Mohammed Diri, the federal director of public prosecutions, who signed the charges, alleged that Mr Nwawuisi installed the transmitters on MTN masts on request by Independent Persons of Biafra (Ipob) member, Chidibere Onwudiwe.

 

Mr Diri added: “The third defendant Nwawuisi, a field maintenance engineer, charged with the responsibility of maintaining MTN masts in Enugu State, was also arrested in the course of the investigation. He agreed, on the request of an Ipob member, who is at large, Chidebere Onwudiwe, to install and did install radio transmitters on MTN masts for a consideration.”

 

According to the prosecution, the transmitters were smuggled into Nigeria by Mr Kanu and were discovered during a search of Mr Madubugwu’s residence. While Kanu was accused of treasonable felony, management of an unlawful society (Ipob) and smuggling goods, including radio transmitters, into the country, Messer's Madubugwu and Nwawuisi were accused of assisting in the management of the said unlawful group.