Nnamdi Kanu in court | File photo
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has indicated readiness to open his defence, listing 23 witnesses including top political and military figures.
In a new application filed before the federal high court in Abuja, Kanu said he is prepared to proceed with his defence in the ongoing trial, which borders on treasonable felony and terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.
The notice, personally signed by Kanu, suggests he may have disengaged his legal team led by Kanu Agabi, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
In the filing, Kanu informed the court that he intends to call two categories of witnesses — those described as “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable” witnesses, who he said would be summoned under section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
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Among those listed as “vital and compellable” witnesses are Theophilus Danjuma, former minister of defence; Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor; Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo state; and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
Others named include Okezie Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia state; Dave Umahi, minister of works; Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation; Ahmed Rufai, immediate past director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Yusuf Bichi, former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS); and Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the current DSS DG.
The IPOB leader also asked the court to grant him 90 days to conclude his defence, citing the number of witnesses and the nature of evidence he intends to present.
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James Omotosho, the presiding judge, had earlier fixed Wednesday for Kanu to meet and confer with his lawyers within the court premises — a measure aimed at addressing his complaints of alleged interference by DSS officials.
However, Kanu’s fresh filing marks a dramatic turn in the proceedings, signalling his intention to personally take charge of his defence and directly challenge the prosecution’s case.
The federal government has maintained its charges against Kanu, accusing him of inciting violence through IPOB’s activities and calling for the secession of the south-east region from Nigeria.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 but fled the country after being granted bail in 2017. He was later rearrested in 2021 and has since remained in DSS custody.
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The court is expected to take up the new application and determine the next steps in the long-running case, which has continued to generate national and international attention.
