Kanu Witnesses: Malami, Wike, Umahi, Sanwo-Olu, Danjuma, Buratai, Others to Testify in IPOB Leader’s Trial
Abuja | Oct. 22, 2025 – In a dramatic twist to his ongoing terrorism trial, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has listed 23 Kanu witnesses, including former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and several other high-profile Nigerians, to testify before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The motion, personally signed by Nnamdi Kanu and filed before Justice James Omotosho, also named among the Kanu witnesses the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, was dated October 20 and filed October 21, affirming that Kanu was ready to begin his defence as directed by the court. The document was titled: “Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant and Request for Witness Summons/Subpoena and the Variation of the Time Within Which to Defend the Counts/Charges against the Defendant.”
Nnsmdi Kanu informed the court that the Kanu witnesses would be drawn from two categories – ordinary but material witnesses – and vital, compellable witnesses to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011. He prayed the court for a 90-day period to enable him conclude his defence, citing the number of persons he intends to call. He also stated his intention to testify personally on his own behalf, denying the allegations and explaining the political context of his actions.
The IPOB leader assured the court that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed” and that he would provide sworn statements of all voluntary Kanu witnesses to the court while notifying the prosecution within a reasonable time. According to him, “justice must not only be done but must manifestly be seen to have been done.”
Among those listed as Kanu witnesses are Abubakar Malami, Nyesom Wike, Dave Umahi, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Hope Uzodinma, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar (former DG of the National Intelligence Agency), and Yusuf Bichi, the former DG of the Department of State Services. Kanu emphasized that these witnesses would play critical roles in ensuring a transparent and fair defence.
The development follows Kanu’s recent motion of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue his trial. The objection was filed the same day a team of medical experts appointed by the court submitted a report confirming that the IPOB leader is medically fit to stand trial.
Related: Court Orders Fresh Medical Evaluation for Nnamdi Kanu (GMTNewsng.com)
Also Read: IPOB Leader Fit for Trial – Court-Appointed Doctors Confirm (https://www.dss.gov.ng/)
Meanwhile, a Magistrate Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during a protest organized by activist Omoyele Sowore against the continued detention and trial of the IPOB leader.
The 13 defendants – including Emmanuel Kanu, Namdi Kanu’s younger brother – were charged with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace, contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law. They were ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment on October 24.
For broader coverage of the Kanu witnesses and ongoing trial, reputable outlets like Reuters and Channels Television have provided updates, underscoring the national and international attention surrounding the case.
More Details: Police Arrest Kanu’s Lawyer During Abuja Protest – https://www.npf.gov.ng/
As the Kanu witnesses prepare to testify, the next phase of the trial is expected to draw immense public scrutiny, testing the Nigerian judiciary’s commitment to fairness and due process in one of the country’s most politically charged cases. GMTNewsng http://gmtnewsng.com
