Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has named several prominent Nigerians, including former and serving government officials, as witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial.
In a fresh motion filed on Tuesday, October 21, Kanu disclosed that he intends to call 23 witnesses to testify in his defence. The list includes a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), ex-Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Also listed are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and former Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. Others include former 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.
According to the motion, Kanu categorised his witnesses into two groups—“ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses,” the latter to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
The IPOB leader also requested a 90-day period to complete his defence, assuring the court that he is ready to proceed with his testimony on October 24, 2025, as previously directed.
Kanu stated his intention to testify personally, denying all allegations and providing what he described as a political context to his statements and actions. He also pledged to submit sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and to ensure that proceedings are not delayed unnecessarily.
“The honourable court and the public will see that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done,” Kanu said in his motion.
Meanwhile, there are speculations that Kanu may have dismissed his legal team, previously led by senior lawyer Kanu Agabi (SAN).
