Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has agreed to enter his defence, listing 23 witnesses including high-profile political and military figures.
The dramatic development emerged on Tuesday when Kanu filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, indicating his readiness to defend himself against treason charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Among the prominent Nigerians Kanu listed as what he termed “vital and compellable witnesses” are former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd), Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.
The IPOB leader also named Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Works Minister Dave Umahi, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu amongst those he intends to summon to testify.
Others on the witness list include former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and former Director General of the State Security Service Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
Kanu divided his proposed witnesses into two categories. The first comprises what he described as “ordinary but material witnesses,” whilst the second category consists of “vital and compellable” witnesses who would be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
The detained separatist leader personally signed the motion, raising speculation that he may have parted ways with his legal team led by Kanu Agabi, SAN.
“I will testify on my own behalf, providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of my statements and actions,” Kanu told Justice James Omotosho.
He requested a 90-day timeframe to enable him conclude his defence, given the number of witnesses he plans to call.
The motion came just hours after protests demanding Kanu’s release rocked parts of Abuja. Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 general elections, led the demonstrations.
Tuesday’s development follows Kanu’s filing of a preliminary objection last Thursday, in which he challenged the jurisdiction of the court to continue with his trial. That objection came on the same day medical experts appointed by the court submitted a report declaring him medically fit to stand trial.
The IPOB leader has been in detention since June 2021 when he was reportedly arrested and extradited from Kenya, although the circumstances of his return to Nigeria remain disputed.
Meanwhile, 13 persons arrested during Tuesday’s protest, including Kanu’s special counsel Aloy Ejimakor and his brother Emmanuel, have been remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre by a magistrate court in Abuja.
The police charged them with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace, contrary to sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
“Live bullets were fired at us, Nnamdi Kanu’s brother was beaten and arrested,” Sowore claimed after the protest.
The case has been adjourned until October 24 for arraignment of the arrested protesters, whilst Kanu’s defence is scheduled to commence on the same date.
Kanu assured the court that he would provide sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses and notify the prosecution within reasonable time, promising that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed.”
He added that it would “interest the honourable court and the general public that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.”
The Federal Government is prosecuting Kanu on charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony, allegations he has consistently denied.
