Nnamdi Kanu names Malami, Wike, Umahi, others as defence witnesses in terrorism trial
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has named Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation, as one of the witnesses in his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism.
In a motion signed by Kanu and filed before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, he expressed readiness to begin his defence as directed by the court.
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and dated October 20, was filed on October 21. It is 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.”
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Kanu cited a court order from October 16, 2015, which instructed him to open his defence on October 24, 2025.
He informed the court of his intention to call 23 witnesses, divided into two groups: “material” witnesses and “compellable” witnesses.
He requested the court to issue summonses to the latter under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
He also asked for a 90-day period to conclude his defence, considering the number of witnesses.
Kanu stated that he would testify in his own defence, providing a sworn account to deny the allegations and explain the political context of his actions and statements.
Among those listed as compellable witnesses are: Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Danjuma; former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma.
Others include: Dave Umahi; Minister of Works,former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and former Director-General of the State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi.
He also noted that some witnesses would remain unnamed for now.
Kanu said he would provide sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and notify the prosecution in due time.
He assured the court that proceedings would not be unnecessarily delayed and emphasized the importance of ensuring justice is both done and seen to be done.
This application follows a preliminary objection filed by Kanu challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue with the trial. The objection was submitted the same day a medical panel appointed by the court declared him fit to stand trial.
In a related development, a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore on Monday, opposing Kanu’s continued detention and trial.
Police charged the group with criminal conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public nuisance, contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
The defendants, named in two separate First Information Reports (FIRs), include: Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother Emmanuel Kanu, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
The court ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre pending arraignment on October 24.
