NIGERIA: Kanu Names Malami, Wike, Danjuma, Other Prominent Nigerians As Witnesses In Terrorism Trial

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has named former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, among his witnesses in his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In a fresh motion personally signed by him and filed before Justice James Omotosho, Kanu expressed readiness to begin his defence as ordered by the court. The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and dated October 20, was filed on October 21.

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 document was filed in line with an earlier court directive that he should commence his defence on October 24, 2025.

Kanu informed the court of his intention to call 23 witnesses, grouped 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.

He urged the court to grant him a 90-day timeframe to conclude his defence, citing the large number of witnesses and the complexity of the case. Kanu also said he would testify on his own behalf to deny the allegations and explain the political context of his statements and actions.

Among those listed as “compellable witnesses” are Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.

Others include the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; immediate past Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, among several unnamed individuals.

Kanu assured the court that sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses would be presented in due time and that he would promptly notify the prosecution. He also pledged that no time of the court would be wasted, emphasizing his desire for justice to be “not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.”

The latest development comes shortly after Kanu filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue his trial. This was the same day a court-appointed medical panel declared him fit to stand trial.