Nnamdi Kanu Lists Malami, Wike, Buratai Among Witnesses in Ongoing Trial

Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a new motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, listing several high-profile Nigerians — including former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) as witnesses in his ongoing trial.

In the motion personally signed and submitted to Justice James Omotosho, Kanu confirmed that he is fully prepared to begin his defence as directed by the court.

The fresh application, dated October 20 and filed on October 21, is titled: “Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant and Request for Witness Summons/Subpoena and Variation of Time Within Which to Defend the Charges.”

According to Kanu, the move follows a previous order by the court made on October 16, directing him to open his defence on October 24, 2025.

23 Witnesses to Testify

The IPOB leader revealed that he plans to call a total of 23 witnesses, grouped into two categories — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses.”

He explained that the second category would appear under Section 232 of the Evidence Act (2011), and requested a 90-day timeframe to conclude his defence due to the number of witnesses involved.

Kanu also stated that he would personally testify, providing a sworn account to deny the terrorism charges and to explain what he described as the “political context” of his statements and actions.

Top Political Figures on Witness List

Among those listed as “compellable witnesses” are:

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT

Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Defence Minister

Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State

Dave Umahi, Minister of Works

Okezie Ikpeazu, former Abia State Governor

Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, former DG of the National Intelligence Agency

Yusuf Bichi, former DG of the State Security Service

Kanu assured the court that all voluntary witnesses would provide sworn statements, and that the prosecution would be notified in good time. He added that he has no intention of wasting the court’s time, emphasizing that his goal is for justice to be “done and seen to be done.”

Fresh Objection and Detentions

This motion comes shortly after Kanu filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial.

The objection was filed the same day a court-appointed medical panel declared him medically fit to stand trial.

Meanwhile, in a related development, a Magistrate Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore on Monday.

The protest was staged to demand Kanu’s release and an end to his prolonged detention.

The 13 individuals were charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace, contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.

Those remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre include Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, along with Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.

The court ordered that they remain in custody pending their arraignment on October 24.