The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has named several prominent Nigerians, including former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN), as witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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In a fresh motion personally signed and filed before Justice James Omotosho, Kanu described the individuals as “compellable witnesses” whose testimonies are crucial to his defence.
Among those listed are 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 include 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 hinted that several other unnamed witnesses would also testify in his defence.
In the motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and dated October 20 but filed on October 21, the IPOB leader requested a 90-day extension to enable him to conclude his defence, citing the number and high profile of the witnesses he intends to call.
The application, 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 Kanu’s readiness to begin his defence as ordered by the court.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kanu informed the court of his plan to call 23 witnesses in total, grouping them into two categories — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses” — who would be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Kanu also pledged to personally testify, offering a sworn account to deny the charges and explain the political context surrounding his actions and statements.
He assured the court that he would provide sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and notify the prosecution in due course, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring that “justice is not only done but also seen to be done.”
This latest motion follows a preliminary objection Kanu filed earlier, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial. The same day, a panel of medical experts appointed by the court submitted a report confirming that he was medically fit to stand trial.
Meanwhile, in a related development, a magistrate court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore over Kanu’s continued detention.
The police charged the 13 defendants with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace — offences contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
Those named in the two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) include Emmanuel Kanu (Kanu’s younger brother), Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
The magistrate ordered that all defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment scheduled for October 24.
