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Nnamdi Kanu Lists Malami, Wike, Danjuma, Buratai, Sanwo-Olu, Others As Witnesses In Terrorism Trial
The IPOB leader also stated that there are additional witnesses whose identities he would disclose later.
Abuja, Nigeria– The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has named several prominent Nigerian political and military figures, including former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial.
Kanu, in a motion filed before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, listed the 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, among those he intends to summon as “compellable witnesses.”
Others named in the list are the 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 State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Bichi.
The IPOB leader also stated that there are additional witnesses whose identities he would disclose later.
In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and dated October 20, 2025 (filed October 21), Kanu requested that the court grant him a 90-day timeframe to enable him to conclude his defence, citing the number and stature of the witnesses he plans to call.
He assured the court of his readiness to commence his defence as earlier directed, stating that 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” was made in good faith to ensure a fair trial.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kanu has filed a motion informing the Federal High Court of his plan to call 23 witnesses in his ongoing trial for terrorism.
Kanu, in the motion, stated that the application was made “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on October 16, 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on October 24, 2025.”
He explained that the witnesses would be divided into two categories — the first comprising “ordinary but material witnesses,” while the second group would consist of “vital and compellable witnesses” to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
The IPOB leader prayed the court to grant him a 90-day timeframe to conclude his defence, citing the number of witnesses he intends to call.
Kanu further told the court that he would testify on his own behalf, providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations against him, and explaining the political context of his statements and actions.
He pledged to provide the sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses and to duly notify the prosecution in reasonable time, assuring that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed.”
According to him, his aim is to ensure that “justice is not only done but is manifestly seen to have been done.”
The motion came shortly after Kanu, on Thursday, filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue with his trial.
The objection was filed on the same day a team of court-appointed medical experts submitted a report declaring him medically fit to stand trial.
Meanwhile, a magistrate court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during a protest organised by activist Omoyele Sowore on Monday, which was held to demand Kanu’s release and an end to his continued detention.
The police charged the 13 defendants with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public disturbance, in violation of Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
Those named in two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) include Ejimakor, Kanu’s younger brother Emmanuel Kanu, 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 on October 24.
