Nnamdi Kanu to open defence, names Wike, Umahi, Buratai, others as witnesses

The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has indicated his readiness to enter his defence in court, marking a significant development in his ongoing trial.

This announcement came on Tuesday, hours after Omoyele Sowore, 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, led protests in Abuja demanding Kanu’s release.

Kanu had previously filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction last Thursday. This was the same day a panel of medical experts submitted a report confirming that he was medically fit to stand trial.

In a fresh motion filed personally on October 21, 2025, Kanu informed the court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, that he was prepared to begin his defence in line with the court’s October 16 order directing him to commence on October 24, 2025.

Kanu stated his intention to call 23 witnesses, divided into two categories. The first group consists of “ordinary but material witnesses,” while the second group includes “vital and compellable” witnesses to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011. Among the compellable witnesses, he listed prominent figures including former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, current FCTA Minister Nyesom Nwike, Works Minister Dave Umahi, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, and former NIA Director General Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, among others.

Kanu also indicated that he would testify personally, providing a sworn account denying the allegations against him and offering context for his statements and actions. He requested that the court grant a 90-day timeframe to enable him to conclude his defence and assured that he would submit sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses in a timely manner, emphasizing that the court’s time would not be unduly delayed.

The motion coincided with a magistrate court in Abuja ordering the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who were protesting against Kanu’s trial. The police charged the 13 individuals with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful orders, inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace, under sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.

The magistrate remanded the defendants at Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned their case to October 24 for arraignment.