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Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has identified several notable Nigerians as “compellable witnesses” in his terrorism trial presided over by Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The individuals named as witnesses include former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma; former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.
Other witnesses listed are the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; the former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and the former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi.
In a motion that he personally signed and submitted to the court, Kanu expressed his intention to call several additional unnamed witnesses and requested a 90-day extension to complete his defense, citing the number and significance of the witnesses.
The motion, filed on October 21, was titled: “Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant and Request for Witness Summons/Subpoena and the Variation of the Time Within Which to Defend the Counts/Charges Against the Defendant.”
In this motion, Kanu indicated that he plans to call 23 witnesses, divided into two categories: “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses,” to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
This development follows a Magistrate Court's decision in June to remand Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, after a protest advocating for the release of the IPOB leader.
The protest, organized by activist and politician Omoyele Sowore, took place on Monday to commemorate five years since the EndSARS demonstrations that nearly paralyzed Nigeria.
FAQ
Who are the compellable witnesses named by Nnamdi Kanu?
The compellable witnesses named by Nnamdi Kanu include notable figures such as former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, and others.
What is the purpose of the motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu?
The motion filed by Nnamdi Kanu is to inform the court of the number and names of witnesses he intends to call, and to request a 90-day extension to conclude his defense due to the complexity and number of witnesses.
What recent event occurred related to Nnamdi Kanu?
Recently, a protest was held by activist Omoyele Sowore to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, coinciding with the five-year anniversary of the EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
