Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has submitted a list of high-profile individuals, including current and former government officials, as witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a new motion filed before Justice James Omotosho and personally signed by Kanu, the IPOB leader described the listed individuals as “compellable witnesses” whose testimonies, he said, are vital to his defence.
Among those named are former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd); Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.
Also included in the list are Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; former Abia State Governor, 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.
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and dated October 20, was filed on October 21. It states that Kanu intends to call a total of 23 witnesses to testify in his defence.
He categorised the witnesses into two groups: “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses,” who, he said, would be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
In the same application, Kanu requested a 90-day period to present his defence, citing the number and status of the witnesses he plans to call. He also informed the court of his intention to personally testify, aiming to challenge the allegations against him and explain his actions and statements.
Kanu assured the court that all voluntary witnesses would provide sworn statements and that his legal team would ensure that no unnecessary delays occur during the proceedings.
This latest development follows a preliminary objection earlier filed by Kanu, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial. It also comes shortly after a medical panel appointed by the court declared him fit to stand trial.
The motion to open his defence was filed on the same day a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who were arrested during a protest against Kanu’s ongoing trial.
