The detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, made a dramatic turn on Tuesday by informing the Federal High Court in Abuja that he is ready to open his defence in his ongoing trial.
Kanu’s decision comes just hours after Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, led protests in Abuja demanding his release.
Last Thursday, Kanu had filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial, which coincided with a court-appointed medical team declaring him fit to stand trial.
Plans to Call Witnesses
In a fresh motion personally filed on Tuesday, October 21, Kanu informed the court that he is prepared to begin his defence pursuant to the court’s order of October 16, 2025, directing him to commence defence on October 24, 2025.
He revealed plans to call 23 witnesses, divided into two categories: “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses.” The latter, he noted, would be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Kanu also requested 90 days to conclude his defence, citing the number of witnesses he intends to present. He will personally testify, providing a sworn account of the facts, denying allegations, and explaining the political contextof his statements and actions.
Among the “compellable witnesses” listed were:
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Former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.)
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Former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.)
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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
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Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma
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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike
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Minister of Works, Dave Umahi
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Former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu
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Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN)
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Former DG of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar
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DG of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi
Kanu assured the court that he would submit sworn statements from voluntary witnesses and notify the prosecution in advance, pledging that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed,” emphasizing that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.
Arrests During Protests
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 demanding his release.
The police charged the 13 individuals with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace under sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
Those arrested include Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother Emmanuel Kanu, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
After briefly standing down the case, the magistrate remanded all 13 at Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned proceedings to October 24 for arraignment.
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Reporting by Emman Tochi in Lagos, Nigeria.
