The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has made a dramatic turn in his ongoing terrorism trial by agreeing to personally open his defence before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
This development came just hours after Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), led protests across parts of Abuja demanding Kanu’s immediate release.
Kanu, who had previously filed a motion of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue with his trial, submitted a fresh motion on Tuesday, October 21, confirming his readiness to begin his defence.
In the motion, personally signed by him, Kanu stated: “Pursuant to the order of this Honourable Court made on the 16th day of October 2025, directing the defendant to commence his defence on the 24th day of October 2025, I am prepared to do so.”
He informed the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, that he intends to call 23 witnesses in total, 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 hinted at a possible reshuffling or dismissal of his legal team, previously led by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), as the new motion was filed personally under his own signature.
He asked the court to grant him 90 days to conclude his defence, given the number of witnesses he plans to call.
Among those listed as “compellable witnesses” are several high-profile figures, including:
Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Minister of Defence
Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State
Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory
Dave Umahi, Minister of Works
Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State
Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation
Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
Yusuf Magaji Bichi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS)
Kanu also pledged to provide sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and to notify the prosecution in advance, assuring the court of his commitment to a speedy and transparent process.
“No precious time of this Honourable Court will be wasted. It is in the interest of justice, and indeed of the general public, that justice is not only done but seen to be done,” Kanu stated.
Meanwhile, on the same day, an Abuja Magistrate Court ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who participated in protests demanding his release.
The police charged the defendants with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public nuisance, offences said to contravene Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
Those charged include Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel Kanu, and others identified as Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
After briefly standing down the case, the magistrate ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned proceedings until October 24 for formal arraignment.
About the Author
