Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has listed several high-profile Nigerians as witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a motion filed before Justice James Omotosho, Kanu described these individuals as “compellable witnesses” crucial to his defence.
Those listed include the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Others named are Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; immediate past Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi.
Kanu also hinted that he would call several other unnamed witnesses.
In the application, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and dated October 20 but filed on October 21, Kanu requested the court to grant him a 90-day period to enable him to conclude his defence, citing the number and status of witnesses he intends to call.
The motion, titled “Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant and Request for Witness Summons/Subpoena and the Variation of the Time Within Which to Defend the Counts/Charges against the Defendant,” indicates that Kanu is prepared to begin his defence as ordered by the court.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kanu has informed the Federal High Court of his plan to call 23 witnesses in his ongoing trial for terrorism.
In a motion filed before the court, Kanu stated that the application was made “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on October 16, 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on October 24, 2025.”
He explained that the witnesses would be grouped into two categories: the first comprising “ordinary but material witnesses,” and the second consisting of “vital and compellable witnesses,” who would be “summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.”
Kanu requested the court to grant him a 90-day period to complete his defence, citing the large number of witnesses he intends to call.
He also indicated that he would personally testify, offering a sworn account to deny the allegations against him and explain the political context of his actions and statements.
The IPOB leader further assured the court that he would “provide sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses” and notify the prosecution in due time, adding that “no precious time of the honourable court would be wasted.”
He stressed that his intention was to ensure that “justice is not only done but also seen to be done.”
The latest motion follows an earlier preliminary objection Kanu filed on Thursday, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial. That same day, a panel of medical experts appointed by the court submitted a report confirming that he was medically fit to stand trial.