Hours after a protest in parts of Abuja led by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore demanding his release, detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu made a surprising move on Tuesday by announcing his readiness to open his defense. Kanu, who had earlier filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial, changed course following a medical report confirming him fit to stand trial.
In a new motion he personally submitted on October 21, Kanu told the court he was prepared to begin his defense in compliance with the order of this honorable court made on October 16, 2015, directing him to commence on October 24, 2025. He informed Justice James Omotosho that he planned to call 23 witnesses, divided into two groups: ordinary but material witnesses and vital and compellable witnesses who would be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Indicating he may have dismissed his legal team led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), Kanu requested a 90-day period to complete his defense, citing the large number of witnesses he intends to call. He also stated his intention to testify personally to deny the allegations 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), Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Others include former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami (SAN), ex-NIA Director-General Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and the current DG of the DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, among other unnamed witnesses.
Kanu assured the court that he would submit sworn statements from voluntary witnesses and keep the prosecution informed promptly. He promised not to waste the court’s time and emphasized that justice must be both done and seen to be done.
On the same day Kanu filed the motion, an Abuja magistrate court ordered the remand of his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during the pro-Kanu protest.
The police charged the 13 individuals with offenses such as criminal conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public nuisance, offenses contrary to sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
Those charged include Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother Emmanuel, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
The magistrate adjourned the case to October 24 for arraignment and ordered that all defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing.