The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has named former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as one of his witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In a fresh motion personally signed and filed before Justice James Omotosho, Kanu declared that he was ready to begin his defence as directed by the court. The motion, dated October 20 and filed October 21, was marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and 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 stated that the application followed the court’s order of October 16, 2025, which directed him to open his defence on October 24. He revealed plans to call 23 witnesses, divided into two categories “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses” who, according to him, will be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
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Kanu requested a 90-day period to enable him to complete his defence and promised to testify personally, offering what he described as “a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context” surrounding his actions.
Among those listed as “compellable witnesses” are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
Others include the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi. Several other witnesses, whose names were not disclosed, are also expected to appear.
Kanu assured the court that all voluntary witnesses would provide sworn statements and that the defence would not waste judicial time. He emphasized that his intention was to ensure “justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.”
This development follows Kanu’s preliminary objection filed last Thursday, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue with his trial. The objection was filed on the same day a medical panel appointed by the court submitted its report declaring him fit to stand trial.
Meanwhile, a magistrate court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and twelve others arrested during a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore on Monday. The protest had called for Kanu’s release and an end to his prolonged detention.
Police charged the 13 with offences including criminal conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, incitement, and disturbance of public peace, contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code. Those charged include Ejimakor, Kanu’s younger brother Emmanuel, and eleven other activists.
The magistrate ordered that all defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment on October 24.
