Nnamdi Kanu has listed Former AGF Malami, Wike, Danjuma, and Buratai among others as witnesses in terrorism trial.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has listed former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside several high-profile political and military figures, as witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a motion personally signed and filed before Justice James Omotosho, Kanu said he was ready to begin his defence as directed by the court. The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, was dated October 20 and filed the following day.
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,” the IPOB leader said he plans to call 23 witnesses — divided into “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable” witnesses.
He requested a 90-day timeframe to complete his defence, pledging not to waste the court’s time.
Among those listed as “compellable witnesses” are:
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Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory
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Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Minister of Defence
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Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff
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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State
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Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State
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Dave Umahi, Minister of Works
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Okezie Ikpeazu, immediate past Governor of Abia State
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Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
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Yusuf Bichi, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS)
Kanu said he would also testify in his own defence, providing “a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context” of his actions.
He assured the court that justice would “not only be done but be seen to have been done,” adding that the testimonies would clarify his political stance and disprove terrorism claims.
This latest filing comes days after Kanu challenged the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial, even as a team of medical experts declared him medically fit to stand trial.
Meanwhile, in a related development, an Abuja magistrate court on Tuesday ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during a protest led by Omoyele Sowore against Kanu’s continued detention.
The protesters were charged with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public unrest under Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
They were ordered to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment on October 24.