Kanu Moves to Defend Self, Drops Lawyers, Lists Top Politicians and Generals as Witnesses

By Ademola Adekusibe
October 22, 2025

Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has declared his readiness to open his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, marking a major turn in his long-running case.

His announcement came just hours after a poorly attended nationwide protest calling for his release. The protest, led in Abuja by Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, recorded low turnout in most parts of the country as residents stayed away over fears of violence or disruption.

Security operatives dispersed the small group of demonstrators who gathered near the Federal High Court complex in Abuja and arrested 13 people, including Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother, Emmanuel Kanu.

At the same time, Kanu filed a motion of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial. The filing came shortly after a team of medical experts appointed by the court submitted a report declaring him fit to stand trial.

In a motion he personally filed on October 21, Kanu told the court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, that he was prepared 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.”

He disclosed plans to call 23 witnesses in two categories, “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses” to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

The notice, which he personally signed, suggested that he had parted ways with his legal team led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN). Kanu requested a 90-day timeframe to conclude his defence, citing the number and relevance of witnesses he intends to call.

He said he would testify on his own behalf to deny the charges and “explain the political context of his statements and actions.” Among those listed as compellable witnesses are former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), and the governors of Lagos and Imo States, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hope Uzodinma.

Others include the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); former National Intelligence Agency DG, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and DSS DG, Yusuf Magaji Bichi.

Kanu pledged to submit sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses and notify the prosecution in due time, assuring the court that his defence would proceed without delay.

He emphasized that his intention was to ensure that “justice is not only done but manifestly seen to be done.”

Meanwhile, a magistrate court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Aloy Ejimakor and 12 others arrested during the protest.