The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has informed the court that he is ready to open his defence.
The IPOB leader, who had previously filed a motion of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial, filed a new motion on Tuesday, October 21, expressing his readiness to begin his defence in line with the court’s earlier directive that proceedings commence on October 24, 2025.
This development came just days after a team of medical experts appointed by the court concluded that Kanu was medically fit to stand trial.
In his motion, which he personally signed, Kanu told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court that he intended to call 23 witnesses divided into two categories — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable” witnesses to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Kanu said he would testify on his own behalf, offering a sworn account to deny the allegations against him and explain the political context of his statements and actions. He requested a 90-day period to conclude his defence, citing the volume of evidence and number of witnesses involved.
Among those listed as compellable witnesses were former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Others named included the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN; former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi, among others whose identities were not disclosed.
Kanu assured the court that he would provide sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and promptly notify the prosecution, adding that his defence team would ensure that “justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.”
This is coming after a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who participated in the protest demanding his release.
The police charged them with criminal conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace, offences said to contravene Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
The 13 defendants, including Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel, appeared in court in two separate first information reports (FIRs). After briefly standing down the case, the magistrate ordered that they be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending arraignment on October 24, 2025.
