The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has notified the Federal High Court of his readiness to open his defence.
Kanu, who had earlier challenged the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial through a preliminary objection, filed a fresh motion on Tuesday, October 21, expressing his intent to begin his defence in compliance with the court’s directive for proceedings to start on October 24, 2025.
This development follows a recent medical evaluation ordered by the court, which confirmed that Kanu is fit to stand trial.
In his personally signed motion, Kanu informed Justice James Omotosho that he plans to call 23 witnesses, grouped into two categories — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses” — under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
He also stated that he would testify on his own behalf, providing a sworn statement to refute the allegations against him and clarify the political motives behind his past remarks and actions. Kanu requested a 90-day period to complete his defence due to the number of witnesses and the volume of evidence involved.
Among those listed as “compellable witnesses” are former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.
Others include the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi, along with several unnamed individuals.
Kanu pledged to submit sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and keep the prosecution duly informed, assuring that his legal team would ensure “justice is not only done but seen to be done.”
This comes shortly after a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who participated in a protest calling for his release.
The police charged the 13 individuals — including Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel — with criminal conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public peace offences, said to violate Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
They appeared in court in two separate First Information Reports (FIRs), and after a brief adjournment, the magistrate ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre pending arraignment on October 24, 2025.
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