The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday, made a dramatic move in his long-running trial as he formally announced his decision to open his defence — listing several prominent Nigerian political and military figures as witnesses.
The development came just hours after activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, led protests across parts of Abuja demanding Kanu’s release from detention.
In a fresh motion personally filed before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Kanu said he was ready to begin his defence pursuant to a previous court order made on October 16, 2025, which directed him to open his case on October 24.
The IPOB leader disclosed plans to call 23 witnesses, categorised into two groups — what he described as “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses” under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Among the prominent names listed as “compellable witnesses” are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).
Also on the list are immediate past Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN); former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and current Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
Kanu, who personally signed the notice, also hinted at the possibility of dismissing his legal team led by Kanu Agabi (SAN). He further requested the court to grant him 90 days to conclude his defence given the number of witnesses he intends to call.
“I shall testify on my own behalf, providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of my statements and actions,” Kanu stated in his motion.
He assured the court that he would provide sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and that his defence would not waste the court’s time.
“It would interest this honourable court and the general public that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done,” he added.
The move to open his defence came barely a week after Kanu filed a motion of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue with his trial. That filing coincided with the submission of a medical report from court-appointed experts confirming that he was fit to stand trial.
Meanwhile, in a related development, a Magistrate Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who participated in the protest demanding Kanu’s release.
The police charged the 13 persons with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace — offences said to contravene sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
The defendants, including Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel Kanu, were remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre, with the case adjourned until October 24 for arraignment.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 after his controversial re-arrest abroad, faces multiple charges bordering on treasonable felony, terrorism, and incitement.
His latest move to enter defence marks a significant turn in a trial that has generated widespread political and ethnic debate across the country.
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