Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, has listed FCT minister Nyesom Wike, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hope Uzodimma as his witnesses in his ongoing alleged terrorism trial.
Among those Mr Kanu listed as “compellable witnesses” are former defence minister Theophilus Danjuma, former army chief Tukur Buratai, and former attorney general of the federation Abubakar Malami. Others are works minister Dave Umahi; ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; former director-general of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and former DG of the State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi.
Mr Kanu, in the motion, promised to “provide the sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses to this honourable court, and to notify the prosecution within a reasonable time”.
Mr Kanu, in a fresh motion he personally signed and filed before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, assured that he was ready to begin his defence as ordered by the court.
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and dated October 20, was filed on October 21. The IPOB leader said the motion was “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on the 16th day of October 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on the 24th day of October 2025”.
Mr Kanu informed the court of his plan to call a total of 23 witnesses, divided into two categories. The first category, he said, would be those he called “ordinary but material witnesses”.
He further informed the court that his second category of witnesses would be “vital and compellable” and shall be “summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011”.
He asked the court that, in view of the number of witnesses he intends to call, the court should consider granting a 90-day timeframe to enable him to conclude his defence. He told the court that he would “testify on his own behalf, providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of his statements and actions”.
He stated that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed”. Mr Kanu assured that “it would interest the honourable court and the general public that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done”.
The latest motion came after the detained IPOB leader filed a preliminary objection on Thursday, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue with his trial. He had filed the objection the same day a team of medical experts enpanelled by the court to determine his health status turned in a report that he was medically fit to stand trial.
Meanwhile, a magistrate’s court in Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of Mr Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during the protest organised by Omoyele Sowore on Monday against the IPOB leader’s continued trial and detention.
The police charged the 13 with offences, including criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace, in contravention of Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
The 13 defendants named in two separate first information reports are Mr Ejimakor, Mr Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel; 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 the defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment on October 24.
(NAN)