Nnamdi Kanu Opens Defence, Lists Wike, Buratai, Danjuma, Umahi, Others as Witnesses
Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has declared his readiness to open his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, hours after a nationwide protest calling for his release recorded a poor turnout across major Nigerian cities.
The protest, led in Abuja by Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), failed to gain traction as residents in the South-East and other regions largely shunned the call for mass action. Many citizens in Enugu, Owerri, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Aba, and Umuahia cited concerns that the demonstration could be hijacked by miscreants and noted that the matter was already before the court.
In Abuja, a small group of protesters who converged near the Federal High Court complex were dispersed by police operatives, leading to the arrest of 13 persons, including Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother, Emmanuel Kanu.
On the same day, Kanu filed a motion of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial. This came after a team of medical experts appointed by the court submitted a report confirming that he was medically fit to stand trial.
In a fresh motion personally signed by him on October 21, Kanu informed the court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, that he was ready to commence his defence “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on the 16th day of October 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on the 24th day of October 2025.”
The IPOB leader said he intends to call 23 witnesses, divided into two categories — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses,” the latter to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
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Notably, Kanu listed several prominent Nigerians among those he wishes to call as witnesses. They include former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Dave Umahi, Minister of Works; Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hope Uzodinma, Governors of Lagos and Imo States respectively; as well as Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, immediate past governor of Abia State.
Others listed are former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, SAN; former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Yusuf Magaji Bichi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), among others whose identities were not disclosed.
Kanu stated that he would testify on his own behalf, providing a sworn account to deny the charges and explain the political context of his statements and actions. He also indicated that he might have disengaged his legal team led by Kanu Agabi, SAN, and requested a 90-day timeframe to conclude his defence, given the number of witnesses he plans to call.
He assured the court that his defence would not delay proceedings, emphasizing that justice must not only be done but also be “seen to have been done.”
Meanwhile, the same day Kanu filed his motion, a Magistrate Court in Abuja ordered the remand of Ejimakor and 12 others arrested during the protest. They were charged with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public nuisance, offences contrary to sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
The defendants — including Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu — were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending arraignment on October 24.
As Kanu prepares to open his defence on Thursday, observers say his decision to personally represent himself and summon high-profile witnesses marks a new and dramatic phase in a trial that continues to test Nigeria’s judicial process, national security framework, and political tolerance.
Security has since been tightened around the Federal High Court complex in Abuja as authorities brace for possible crowd movements when proceedings resume.
By PRNigeria
