Nnamdi Kanu Declares Readiness to Open Defence, Lists Top Politicians and Military Chiefs as Witnesses
Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that he is fully prepared to open his defence in the ongoing treasonable felony case against him. Continue reading....
Kanu, who had earlier filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial, made a dramatic turn on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, by submitting a fresh motion expressing his readiness to begin his defence in compliance with the court’s directive for proceedings to commence on October 24, 2025.
This development follows a recent medical report by a team of court-appointed experts confirming that the IPOB leader is fit to stand trial.
In the new motion personally signed by Kanu, he informed Justice James Omotosho that he intends to call 23 witnesses in total. The witnesses, he said, would be divided into two groups — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses” — to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
The IPOB leader also stated that he would take the witness stand himself to give a sworn testimony refuting the allegations against him, while providing what he described as the political context of his actions and statements. He further requested a 90-day window to conclude his defence, citing the extensive evidence and number of witnesses involved.
Among those listed as compellable witnesses are several high-profile political and military figures, including:
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Former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd)
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Former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd)
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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
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Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma
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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike
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Minister of Works, Dave Umahi
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Former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu
Others named 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 other undisclosed individuals.
Kanu pledged that his legal team would submit sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and notify the prosecution in advance. He emphasized that his defence would ensure that “justice is not only done but seen to be done.”
Meanwhile, in a related development, a magistrate court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others, including his brother Emmanuel Kanu, over a recent protest calling for the IPOB leader’s release.
They are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public peace disturbance, contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
The 13 defendants appeared in court in two separate First Information Reports (FIRs). After briefly adjourning the session, the magistrate ordered their remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending their formal arraignment on October 24, 2025.
With this move, all eyes are now on the Federal High Court as Nnamdi Kanu prepares to mount a robust defence in one of Nigeria’s most closely watched trials.