Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, made a dramatic shift in legal strategy on Tuesday by announcing his readiness to open his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial.
This significant development came just hours after Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), led protests in parts of Abuja demanding Kanu’s release.
Until now, Kanu had been challenging the trial’s legitimacy. Last Thursday, he filed a preliminary objection questioning the court’s jurisdiction to continue hearing the case. That same day, a panel of medical experts — appointed by the court to assess his health status — submitted a report declaring him medically fit to stand trial.
However, in a new motion personally filed on October 21, Kanu expressed his intention to begin his defence “pursuant to the order of this Honourable Court made on the 16th day of October 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on the 24th day of October 2025.”
23 witnesses and high-profile names
Appearing before Justice James Omotosho, Kanu revealed plans to call 23 witnesses, divided into two categories: “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable” witnesses — the latter to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
In what may signal a shake-up in his legal team, Kanu personally signed the motion, with no mention of his lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, suggesting a possible dismissal of his previous lawyers.
He requested a 90-day timeframe to complete his defence, citing the large number of witnesses and the complexity of the case. He also indicated his intention to testify on his own behalf, providing a sworn account to deny the allegations and place his actions within a political context.
Among those Kanu listed as compellable witnesses are Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Minister of Defence; Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State; Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Dave Umahi, Minister of Works; Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State; Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Minister of Justice; Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); and Yusuf Magaji Bichi, Director General of the State Security Service (SSS).
Kanu also indicated he would present the sworn statements of voluntary witnesses and notify the prosecution accordingly, assuring the court that his defence would be conducted without unnecessary delay.
“It would interest the Honourable Court and the general public that justice is not only done, but manifestly seen to be done,” Kanu stated in the motion.
Protest fallout: Kanu’s lawyer, 12 others remanded
On the same day Kanu submitted his motion, a Magistrate Court in Abuja remanded his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others following a protest calling for Kanu’s release.
They were charged with offences including criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public disorder, in violation of sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
Those listed in two First Information Reports (FIRs) include Emmanuel Kanu (Kanu’s brother), 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 initially standing down the matter, the magistrate ordered that all 13 defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, adjourning the case until October 24 for arraignment.
