By Ayomide Otitoju
The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has agreed to open his defence in the terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government, naming 23 witnesses, including prominent political figures and former security chiefs.
Among those listed are Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd). Others include former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar; and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
Kanu, who had earlier filed a preliminary objection last Thursday challenging the court’s jurisdiction to proceed with his trial, informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that he would commence his defence on October 24, 2025, as directed by Justice James Omotosho.
In the motion personally signed by Kanu and filed on October 21, he stated that his defence team would present 23 witnesses divided into two categories — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses,” the latter to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Kanu also requested a 90-day window to present his full defence, indicating a possible shift from his previous legal strategy led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kanu Agabi. He further pledged to testify personally to provide context to the allegations, describing his actions as politically motivated rather than criminal.
Assuring the court of his cooperation, Kanu stated that he would ensure “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed,” adding that “justice will not only be done but manifestly seen to have been done.”
The development comes days after a team of court-appointed medical experts declared Kanu fit to stand trial.
