Nnamdi Kanu lists Malami, Wike, Umahi, Sanwo-Olu, Danjuma, Buratai, others, as witnesses

Nnamdi Kanu lists Malami, Wike, Umahi, Sanwo-Olu, Danjuma, Buratai, others, as witnesses

…Seeks 90 days to defend self, lists 23 witnesses

ABUJA — Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to summon 23 witnesses—including former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami—to testify in his ongoing terrorism trial.

The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and dated October 20, was filed on October 21 before Justice James Omotosho. In it, Kanu expressed readiness to commence his defence as ordered by the court, following a ruling on October 16 mandating him to open his case on October 24.

Titled “Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant and Request for Witness Summons/Subpoena and the Variation of the Time Within Which to Defend the Counts/Charges against the Defendant,” the IPOB leader asked the court to grant him a 90-day window to conclude his defence, citing the volume and significance of his witnesses.

Kanu disclosed that the witnesses fall into two categories: “ordinary but material” and “vital and compellable,” the latter to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011. He also pledged to testify personally, denying all allegations and providing what he described as the “political context” of his statements and actions.

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Among the high-profile individuals listed as compellable witnesses are:

• Abubakar Malami, former AGF
• Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT
• Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), ex-Minister of Defence
• Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff
• Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
• Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo
• Dave Umahi, Minister of Works
• Okezie Ikpeazu, immediate past Governor of Abia
• Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, ex-DG of the National Intelligence Agency
• Yusuf Bichi, former DG of the State Security Service

Kanu assured the court that sworn statements from voluntary witnesses would be submitted and that the prosecution would be notified in due time. He emphasized that the trial would proceed without unnecessary delays, adding that “justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.”

This development comes days after Kanu filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue the trial. The objection was filed on the same day a medical panel appointed by the court declared him fit to stand trial.

Meanwhile, a Magistrate Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore on Monday. The protest was staged against Kanu’s continued detention and trial.

The police charged the 13 individuals with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and disobedience of lawful order, among other offences. They are to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment on October 24.

Nnamdi Kanu lists Malami, Wike, Umahi, Sanwo-Olu, Danjuma, Buratai, others, as witnesses