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Nnamdi Kanu reveals why he wants governors, ministers, military chiefs as witnesses

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(DDM) – Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has unveiled a list of 23 high-profile Nigerians, including serving governors, ministers, and former military chiefs, whom he intends to call as witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the revelation came shortly after Justice James Omotosho dismissed Kanu’s no-case submission, thereby paving the way for the IPOB leader to formally open his defence.

In a document personally signed and filed through his legal team, Kanu explained that the testimonies of these prominent figures were essential to proving his innocence and establishing the political and military context of his prosecution.

Among those listed as witnesses are Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, David Umahi; Governors Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

Also named are two former Chiefs of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma and General Tukur Buratai; as well as security officials including the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, and senior operative Oluwatosin Ajayi.

Other high-profile individuals listed include former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, international human rights lawyer Bruce Fein, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) digital expert Barry Sutton, and cardiothoracic surgeon Prof. Martin Aghaji, who is expected to testify on Kanu’s deteriorating health condition while in detention.

According to court filings seen by DDM, the IPOB leader categorised his witnesses into two groups: voluntary defence witnesses, who have agreed to testify in his favour, and vital witnesses, who will be subpoenaed under the provisions of the Evidence Act 2011.

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Kanu, who has been in custody since June 2021 following his controversial re-arrest and extradition from Kenya, is facing charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement of violence.

He has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that his calls for self-determination and referendum do not constitute terrorism or secession.

In his fresh defence motion, Kanu urged the court to extend his defence window from six to 90 days, citing the number of witnesses and the logistical complexity of securing their testimonies.

He outlined specific roles for each witness, stating that:

Nyesom Wike would testify regarding the alleged Obigbo Massacre following the EndSARS protests of 2020, where several IPOB members were reportedly targeted.

Hope Uzodinma would clarify statements made after the murder of Ahmed Gulak, a political aide killed in Imo State in 2021.

Gen. Theophilus Danjuma would revisit his famous 2018 warning urging Nigerians to defend themselves against insecurity.

Gen. Tukur Buratai would testify on the 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s home in Afaraukwu, Abia State, which led to several casualties and his eventual flight abroad.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu would speak on the Lekki Toll Gate shooting during the EndSARS protests, a key incident in Kanu’s argument about state violence and rights violations.

David Umahi and Okezie Ikpeazu would address the process and legality surrounding the proscription of IPOB in 2017 and related security crackdowns in the Southeast.

The inclusion of these witnesses has generated intense public interest and political debate, as many of those named currently hold powerful positions in both federal and state governments.

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Political analysts told DDM that Kanu’s legal strategy appears to be aimed at exposing the political motivations behind his prosecution while highlighting the human rights violations allegedly committed against IPOB members.

Observers also believe the move could force a wider national conversation about the conduct of security agencies and the legality of government actions taken against separatist movements in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), held a closed-door meeting with his client to finalise witness scheduling and strategy ahead of the formal defence opening.

The court is expected to reconvene in coming weeks to determine whether to grant Kanu’s request for a 90-day extension and to set timelines for the appearance of the listed witnesses.

If the court approves the motion, it would mark the first time in Nigeria’s legal history that multiple serving and former public officials, including military generals and sitting governors, are summoned to testify in a terrorism case involving an agitator.

 

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PHOTO: Kanu in Supreme Court, submits appeal against Nov 20 ruling

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Nnamdi Kanu
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The embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, appeared at the Supreme Court earlier today, to personally deliver a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, requesting the discontinuation of his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu cited the use of a repealed law as the basis for his appeal.

Accompanied by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), this move marks a last-minute effort to stop the judgment slated for November 20.

This follows Kanu’s recent application filed at the Court of Appeal, where he requested a stay of proceedings in his trial before Justice James Omotosho.

In the motion, he urged the appellate court to suspend the judgment pending the resolution of his appeal, arguing that his trial is being conducted under a law that no longer exists.

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Why I regret dragging PDP to court — Sule Lamido

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Sule Lamido PDP Coalition 2027
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Former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido said he’s truly sad that he had to drag the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Federal High Court in Abuja after being barred from the party’s 2025 national convention.

Lamido, who served two terms as governor (2007–2015) and was once foreign affairs minister, recalled his long‑standing relationship with the PDP, noting that he built the party “with sweat and soul.”

He said he went to the party secretariat on 27 October to buy the national‑chairmanship nomination form, but officials refused to sell it to him. That denial pushed him to file an ex‑parte motion on 31 October, asking the court to restrain the PDP from holding the convention until his complaint was heard.

Justice Peter Lifu granted a restraining order, stopping the PDP’s convention (scheduled for 15–16 November in Ibadan) and barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognising it.

The judge found the PDP had failed to publish the convention timetable to members as required by law and that Lamido’s exclusion would cause him “greater harm.”

The court also ordered the PDP to pay damages if the suit was later deemed frivolous.

Speaking after the ruling, Lamido lamented: “If my party lost, I also lose. I feel like crying, taking this path. When we fight as brothers, the trust is lost, the bond of brotherhood is also lost.”

He added that he still supports the opposition’s unity under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but will never leave the PDP.

The case was adjourned for judgment on 13 November 2025.

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Nnamdi Kanu Moves To Stop Court From Ruling On Terrorism Charges

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(DDM) — The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion urging the Federal High Court in Abuja to halt plans to deliver judgment in the ongoing terrorism case brought against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Kanu’s legal team, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Ifeanyi Ejiofor, filed the motion seeking to restrain the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, from proceeding with the judgment pending the outcome of other related appeals currently before the Supreme Court.

According to the defense team, going ahead with the judgment would amount to a breach of Kanu’s constitutional rights, particularly as several issues concerning the legality of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021 remain unresolved.

The motion, DDM learned, argues that the Federal Government acted unlawfully by continuing to prosecute Kanu despite the Court of Appeal’s 2022 ruling, which discharged and acquitted him of all terrorism-related allegations, citing procedural violations by the state.

Kanu’s lawyers insisted that the Supreme Court’s yet-to-be-delivered judgment in the government’s appeal against that decision must first be determined before any new ruling at the High Court level.

They also contended that any attempt to proceed with the terrorism judgment could prejudice Kanu’s right to fair hearing and amount to judicial overreach.

Sources close to the defense revealed that Kanu’s legal strategy is to ensure that the matter is not determined twice on overlapping issues, which could create confusion in the judicial process.

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The Federal Government, however, is expected to oppose the motion, arguing that the High Court retains jurisdiction to continue hearing the matter pending any directive from the apex court.

DDM recalls that Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 after he was forcibly returned to Nigeria from Kenya in an operation widely condemned by international human rights organisations.

His detention has since sparked widespread agitation across the South-East region, with IPOB members and civil rights groups demanding his immediate and unconditional release.

Observers say this latest motion marks another chapter in Kanu’s long-running legal battle with the Nigerian state, one that has tested the boundaries of both national security and constitutional justice.

Analysts also note that the outcome of the case will have significant political and social implications, particularly as the South-East continues to grapple with economic disruptions, insecurity, and separatist tensions linked to IPOB activities.

Kanu’s supporters have maintained that his prosecution is politically motivated, while the government insists that he must face the law for allegedly inciting violence, broadcasting falsehoods, and promoting secessionist activities.

The court is expected to announce a new date for the hearing of Kanu’s motion, which will determine whether Justice Nyako can proceed with the planned judgment.

As of press time, neither the Federal Ministry of Justice nor the DSS had issued an official statement on the latest development.

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