By MOHAMMED DANBABA
Abuja, Nigeria — Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a new motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to call top former intelligence officials as witnesses in his ongoing trial.
In the latest filing, Kanu listed as “compellable witnesses” are the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike; a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd), Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo.
Others are Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; the immediate-past Governor of Abia, Okezie Ikpeazu; the immediate-past Director General (DG), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; former DG of the State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi, and several witnesses whose identities he didn’t reveal.
Although he withheld the identities of several other witnesses, Kanu assured the court that their sworn statements would be submitted “within a reasonable time,” emphasizing his desire to ensure that justice is “manifestly seen to have been done.”
“It would interest the honourable court and the general public that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done,” Kanu said in the motion, pledging not to delay court proceedings.
Kanu Challenges Court’s Jurisdiction
The new motion follows a preliminary objection Kanu filed last Thursday, questioning the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial on terrorism-related charges.
That same day, a medical panel appointed by the court concluded that the IPOB leader was medically fit to stand trial — contrary to claims by his lawyers that he required urgent medical attention.
Court Remands Kanu’s Lawyer, 12 Protesters
In a related development, a Magistrate Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore.
The protest, which held on Monday, condemned Kanu’s continued detention and trial. The police subsequently charged the 13 individuals with criminal conspiracy, incitement, and disturbance of public peace — offences that contravene Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.
Those charged include Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, along with Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
The magistrate ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending their formal arraignment scheduled for October 24.
Background: A Case that Continues to Divide Nigeria
Kanu’s prolonged detention and trial have continued to spark controversy, protests, and human rights debates across the country. While the federal government accuses him of inciting violence through IPOB’s separatist campaigns, his supporters insist he is a prisoner of conscience being persecuted for political reasons.
Observers note that the decision to summon former intelligence chiefs could reshape the legal and political dimensions of Kanu’s trial, raising questions about the internal operations of Nigeria’s security agencies during his arrest and rendition from Kenya in 2021.
