Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of his readiness to open his defence, marking a new phase in his long-running trial.
This declaration came shortly after activist and 2023 African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, led demonstrations across parts of Abuja, demanding Kanu’s release.
Kanu, who recently filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial, appeared to have shifted stance, expressing preparedness to proceed with his defence “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on the 16th day of October 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on the 24th day of October 2025.”
Okay News reports that the motion, which Kanu personally signed and filed on Tuesday, indicated his willingness to represent himself, suggesting that his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kanu Agabi, may have been disengaged.
In the motion, Kanu revealed plans to call 23 witnesses, grouped into “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses,” the latter to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Among those listed as compellable witnesses are former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd); Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma. Others include the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.
Kanu also listed former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, among others whose names he chose not to disclose.
He stated that he would personally testify on his own behalf, “providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of his statements and actions.”
The IPOB leader further requested 90 days to complete his defence due to the number of witnesses he intends to call, pledging that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed,” adding that “justice must not only be done but be manifestly seen to have been done.”
Meanwhile, on the same day Kanu filed his motion, a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who were arrested during protests calling for Kanu’s release.
The police charged the 13 defendants with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace — offences contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
Those named in the first two information reports include Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother Emmanuel, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
The magistrate ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter till October 24 for arraignment.
