In a bold move signaling his readiness to face the charges against him, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has formally listed a host of high-profile figures as witnesses for his defense. These figures include former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami and several serving and former state governors and military chiefs.
Kanu personally signed and filed the fresh motion before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, confirming that he is prepared to begin his defense as directed by the court. The application, dated October 20 and filed on October 21, is 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.”
The IPOB leader is responding to the court’s order of October 16, 2025, which mandated him to commence his defense on October 24, 2025. Kanu has informed the court of his plan to call a total of 23 witnesses, categorized into two groups: “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable” witnesses who will be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Compellable Witnesses List Includes Governors, Military Chiefs
Among the “compellable witnesses” Kanu intends to subpoena are figures whose testimony could significantly alter the political narrative surrounding his trial. The list includes:
- Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
- Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), a former Minister of Defence.
- Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff.
- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
- Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
- Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works.
- Okezie Ikpeazu, the immediate-past Governor of Abia State.
- Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the immediate-past Director General (DG) of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
- Yusuf Bichi, former DG of the State Security Service.
Kanu also intends to testify on his own behalf, providing a sworn account of facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the broader political context behind his statements and actions. To accommodate the sheer number of witnesses, he has asked the court to grant a 90-day timeframe to allow him to conclude his defense.
Kanu assured the court that his team will “provide the sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses… and to notify the prosecution within a reasonable time,” pledging that no “precious time of the honourable court would be delayed.” He concluded that the move is necessary so “that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.”
Latest Developments Amid Legal Battles
This latest motion follows a preliminary objection filed by the detained IPOB leader just last Thursday, where he challenged the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial. That objection came on the same day a court-empanelled team of medical experts submitted a report certifying him medically fit to stand trial.
In a related development, a magistrate court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and twelve others. They were arrested during a protest organized on Monday against the IPOB leader’s ongoing trial and detention. The police charged the thirteen individuals with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace. The magistrate ordered their remand in Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment on October 24. For comprehensive coverage of these legal proceedings.
