My Witnesses Are Coming from Ethiopia, Kenya, Others, Nnamdi Kanu Tells Court

IPOB Leader Disengages Legal Team, Seeks 90 Days to Defend Himself

ABUJA – The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that he plans to call 23 witnesses from across the world, including the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia, to testify in his ongoing terrorism trial.

Kanu made this known on Friday, October 24, 2025, before Justice James Omotosho, shortly after formally announcing that he would now conduct his own defence following the disengagement of his legal team led by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

Kanu: “My Witnesses Are Coming from Across the World”

During proceedings, Kanu said his witnesses were divided into two categories — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses,” who he said would be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

The IPOB leader filed a motion on October 21 requesting the court to grant him 90 days to complete his defence, citing the large number of witnesses and the logistical challenges of preparing from detention.

“I have about 23 witnesses that will be coming from all parts of the world — from Ethiopia, Kenya, and the U.S.,” Kanu told the court.

“I want the court to make an order so that these people can have access to me.”

Disengagement of Legal Tea

On Thursday, Kanu informed the court that he had disengaged his counsel, including Chief Agabi, and opted to represent himself in the case brought by the Federal Government of Nigeria, which accuses him of terrorism, incitement, and treasonable felony.

When proceedings resumed Friday, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) appeared for the prosecution, while Kanu announced his own appearance, saying:

“I am Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. I stand for myself.”

Kanu, however, told the court that he was not yet ready to open his defence, explaining that his former lawyers had not yet handed over his case files.

“My counsel left the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them,” he said.

Prosecution Pushes Back

In response, Chief Awomolo noted that Kanu had already been given ample time to prepare since his no-case submission was dismissed. He also revealed that court bailiffs had begun serving subpoenas to the listed witnesses.

“The defendant wasted yesterday. This is the second day,” Awomolo told the court.

“I urge your lordship to keep to the standing order for the defendant to defend himself within ten days.”

Judge Grants Adjournment, Expands Access to Counsel

Justice Omotosho, while expressing surprise that Chief Agabi had not released the case file, granted an adjournment until October 27 to allow Kanu to retrieve his documents and prepare for his defence.

The court also granted Kanu’s request for extended visitation rights, directing the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow his lawyers to meet him on Saturdays and Mondays, in addition to the regular visiting days.

“This is hereby granted. The DSS should give him access on Saturday and Monday to have access to his counsel,” the judge ruled.

Justice Omotosho emphasized that the court would ensure fair hearing but warned against unnecessary delays.

“I will beg the defendant, in the name of Almighty God, to let us make use of this opportunity,” he said.

“Not making use of this opportunity will deny some other people their trial; their trial will suffer.”

Court Warns Against Further Delays

The judge recalled that on October 22, the court had vacated the courtroom from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow Kanu private consultation with his lawyers, stressing that further pre-trial sessions would now take place elsewhere to prevent disruption of other pending cases.

“I will not vacate this court for any pre-trial again because this opportunity was not used,” Justice Omotosho said.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to October 27 for Kanu to open his defence.

Background

Nnamdi Kanu, founder of Radio Biafra, was first arrested in 2015 and charged with treasonable felony over his campaign for the secession of Biafra from Nigeria. After jumping bail in 2017, he was rearrested in Kenya in 2021and extradited to Nigeria, sparking international controversy and legal challenges over alleged human rights violations.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has since ruled that Kanu must face trial, despite calls from Igbo socio-political groups and international bodies for his release.

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Reporting by Emman Tochi in Lagos, Nigeria.