The ongoing legal tussle involving Nnamdi Kanu the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB took a dramatic turn recently as he declared his readiness to open his defense in the alleged terrorism trial and listed a host of high-profile government and security officials as his witnesses .
In a fresh motion personally filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja Kanu indicated his preparedness to commence his defense on October 24 2025 as previously ordered by the court The motion titled “Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant and Request for Witness SummonsSubpoena” signals a new highly-charged phase in a case that has commanded national attention .
A Roster of High-Profile Witnesses
The most striking element of the motion is the extensive list of individuals Kanu seeks to call as witnesses He has outlined a plan to call a total of 23 witnesses categorized into two groups ordinary but material witnesses and a second group of vital and compellable witnesses It is the second category that includes current and former top government and security figures whom he is seeking to summon under Section 232 of the Evidence Act 2011 .
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Among the prominent names listed as compellable witnesses are .
- Nyesom Wike The current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT .
- Dave Umahi The Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State .
- Abubakar Malami SAN The immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation AGF and Minister of Justice .
- Gen Theophilus Danjuma rtd A former Minister of Defence .
- Gen Tukur Buratai rtd A former Chief of Army Staff .
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu The Governor of Lagos State .
- Hope Uzodinma The Governor of Imo State .
- Okezie Ikpeazu The immediate past Governor of Abia State .
- Ahmed Rufai Abubakar The immediate past Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency NIA .
- Yusuf Magaji Bichi The Director-General of the State Security Service SSS .
Kanu’s intention to summon such a diverse and high-ranking group of individuals suggests that his defense strategy will focus on a broad political and security context surrounding his actions and detention moving beyond simple denial of the charges He informed the court that he will also 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 .
The Legal Maneuver and Defense Timeline
By filing this motion Nnamdi Kanu has officially committed to opening his defense in the trial presided over by Justice James Omotosho This development comes on the heels of a court-ordered medical panel declaring him fit to stand trial thereby removing a potential impediment to the continuation of the proceedings .
Given the significant number and profile of the witnesses he intends to call Kanu has also requested that the court grant a generous timeframe of 90 days to enable him to effectively conclude his defense He has promised to provide the sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses to the court and notify the prosecution within a reasonable time .
The readiness to open defense and the move to summon high-profile figures mark a critical and possibly confrontational turning point in the long-running trial The Federal High Court complex is expected to experience intensified security as the trial resumes underscoring the political and national security implications of this case .
Context of the Allegations
Nnamdi Kanu faces charges related to terrorism treasonable felony and incitement through his broadcasts on Radio Biafra which the prosecution alleges encouraged violence killings and the destruction of public property The naming of government officials as his defense witnesses some of whom have been implicated in his alleged broadcasts suggests a complex and potentially explosive defense strategy aimed at challenging the prosecution’s narrative and the circumstances of his rendition and detention The trial is now set to test the limits of judicial process and political tolerance in Nigeria .
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets and court proceedings for the most current and accurate information .