Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, is set to open his defence in his ongoing decade-old terrorism trial, listing several top political figures and retired military chiefs as witnesses he intends to call.
In a fresh motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, dated October 20, the IPOB leader listed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), among his witnesses.
In the defence notice personally signed him, Kanu informed the court of his intention to call 23 witnesses, divided into two categories — “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses.”
Among the “vital and compellable witnesses” are Wike, Sanwo-Olu, Buratai, alongside s former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.); the governors of Lagos and Imo states, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hope Uzodinma, respectively.
Others listed include the Minister of Works, David Umahi; a former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; and the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Also named are the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; the immediate past Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; and several other unnamed individuals.
According to the motion, Kanu intends to rely on Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011 to compel the appearance of those he considers “vital and compellable” witnesses.
He also asked the court to grant a 90-day window to enable him to conclude his defence, pledging to testify personally and provide sworn statements from voluntary witnesses to support his case.
“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 the court.
“It will interest the honourable court and the general public that justice is not only done but is manifestly seen to have been done.”
The fresh filing came a day after activist Omoyele Sowore led a #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja, which resulted in the arrest and arraignment of Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and 10 others.
The 12 protesters were charged before a magistrate’s court with offences bordering on criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public peace disturbance, contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
They were subsequently remanded pending arraignment on October 24.
Kanu’s latest defence notice followed Justice James Omotosho’s ruling that a prima facie case had been established against him, after the defence’s earlier no-case submission was dismissed.
Meanwhile, a request by Kanu’s legal team to have him transferred to the National Hospital for medical treatment was opposed by the prosecution, which maintained that the DSS medical facility was sufficient.
After hearing both sides, the judge had directed the Nigerian Medical Association to assess his condition. The NMA later reported that Kanu was fit to stand trial, and his health could be managed within the DSS facility.
Justice Omotosho has fixed October 23 for Kanu to formally open his defence.
Meanwhile, Kanu’s family in Abia State on Wednesday dismissed the NMA’s medical report declaring him medically fit to stand trial.
The family described the alleged NMA report as “concocted,” insisting that no medical delegation ever examined Kanu at the DSS facility.
Kanunta Kanu, who spoke on behalf of the family, challenged the NMA to publicly clarify its role in the matter, alleging that the purported report submitted to the court was fabricated at the instance of the prosecution.
“NMA did not go to examine Nnamdi Kanu as demanded by the presiding judge. Rather, they went on the instruction of the prosecutor,” Kanunta said.
“Any medical report presented is fake. We want the world to know that NMA did not visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for any medical test. They should explain how that concocted report was arrived at.”
He accused the Federal Government of orchestrating Kanu’s persecution, warning that the sustained injustice against him and the Igbo people was pushing the nation toward a breaking point.
“It is disturbing that Nigeria’s President, the Inspector General of Police, and the judiciary are supervising the persecution of Nnamdi Kanu and Ndigbo in general. This is very shameful,” he added.
The family also exonerated rights activist Omoyele Sowore from any role in the arrest of Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, his lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, and several others who were detained during last week’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja.
According to Kanunta, Sowore was merely exercising his democratic right to mobilise citizens for a peaceful demonstration, and should not be blamed for the arrests.
“Those pointing accusing fingers at Sowore should stop it. He did what he was supposed to do by mobilising Nigerians to protest against injustice,” he said.
“Some Igbo politicians are ashamed that Sowore, a non-Igbo, did what they lacked the courage to do. Any person linking him to the arrests is simply being mischievous.”
The family reiterated its demand for the immediate release of Prince Emmanuel, Ejimakor, and others arrested during the protest, describing their detention as “unlawful and vindictive.”
They also restated their call for Kanu’s unconditional release in compliance with multiple court judgments ordering his freedom.
