The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a list of 23 witnesses he intends to call in his defence before the Federal High Court in Abuja, including sitting and former governors, ex-security chiefs, and senior government officials.
The witness list, filed in compliance with the court’s directive that Kanu open his defence on October 24, 2025, follows a ruling by Justice Binta Nyako on October 16, 2025, ordering the commencement of his defence in the ongoing terrorism trial brought against him by the Federal Government.
According to the filing titled “Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to Be Called by the Defendant”, the witnesses are divided into two categories — Category A: Voluntary Defence Witnesses, and Category B: Hostile or Adverse Witnesses, to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Governors and Former Governors Listed
The high-profile political figures named among the witnesses include:
- Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State
- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State
- Engr. David Umahi, former Governor of Ebonyi State and current Minister of Works
- Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State
- Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
These officials are expected to testify on various political and security events linked to IPOB and the 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s residence in Umuahia, as well as the 2020 Obigbo killings and the EndSARS protests in Lagos.
Security Chiefs and Government Officials
Kanu’s defence team also listed several top security and intelligence figures, including:
- Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff
- Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, former Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
- Yusuf Magaji Bichi, Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS)
- Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
These witnesses are expected to provide testimony on Kanu’s alleged extraordinary rendition from Kenya in 2021, operational directives, and the military’s role in the invasion of his family home.
Voluntary Witnesses
Under the voluntary category, Kanu listed experts and individuals who will testify in his defence, including:
Chief Emeka Umeagbalasi, political analyst and human rights advocate, who will testify on the history of the pro-Biafra movement and alleged extrajudicial killings of IPOB members.
Bruce Fein, an international human rights lawyer based in Washington D.C., who will testify on the illegality of Kanu’s rendition from Kenya and its implications for fair trial.
Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, Kanu’s treating physician, who will speak on his health and the effects of prolonged detention.
Barry Sutton, a digital security expert from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), who will examine the chain of custody and authenticity of electronic evidence presented by the prosecution.
Prince Emmanuel Kanu, Kanu’s younger brother, who witnessed the 2017 military raid on their family home in Abia State.
Nnamdi Kanu himself, who will testify regarding his abduction, rendition, and alleged human rights abuses during his detention.
Other Key Witnesses
Three witnesses’ identities were withheld for security reasons. One is described as a forensic linguist and media analyst, who will analyse Kanu’s broadcasts and statements to counter the government’s claim that they amounted to incitement to terrorism.
Another is a security expert, expected to highlight alleged procedural flaws in the Federal Government’s terrorism investigation.
The third is a DSS officer directly involved in Kanu’s rendition from Kenya, who will be cross-examined on alleged fabrication of witness statements and custodial abuses.
Legal Position and Court Request
Kanu’s legal team has undertaken to file sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and has requested the court to issue subpoenas and witness warrants to compel the appearance of the listed hostile witnesses under Sections 241–242 of the Evidence Act.
The defence maintains that the testimonies are crucial to establishing Kanu’s claims of unlawful rendition, political persecution, and rights violations, insisting that only a full and transparent hearing can ensure justice.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 following his arrest and rendition from Kenya. His trial on charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony is expected to resume on October 24, 2025, when he will formally open his defence.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
