Kanu lists Sanwo-Olu, Wike, Umahi, Malami, others as witnesses in terrorism trial

Spread the love

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion listing former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and other top political and security figures as witnesses in his terrorism trial.The motion, filed on October 21 and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, was addressed to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.Meanwhile, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, yesterday, expressed concerns over reported attacks on journalists covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest on Monday.Relatedly, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Ogun State chapter, yesterday faulted the arrest and detention of Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel; his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor and 10 others in Kuje prison.Kanu, who personally signed the document, stated that the application was in compliance with the court’s order of October 16, which directed him to open his defence on October 24.

Kanu lists Sanwo-Olu, Wike, Umahi, Malami, others as witnesses in terrorism trial By : Ameh Ochojila (Abuja), Sunday Aikulola (Lagos) and Segun Ayinde (Abeokuta) Date: 23 October 2025 6:40am WATShare :Nnamdi-KanuNnamdi-Kanu• IPC flays attacks on journalists during #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protests• Free Kanu’s brother, lawyer, others,CDHR tells FGThe detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion listing former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and other top political and security figures as witnesses in his terrorism trial.The motion, filed on October 21 and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, was addressed to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.Meanwhile, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, yesterday, expressed concerns over reported attacks on journalists covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest on Monday.Relatedly, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Ogun State chapter, yesterday faulted the arrest and detention of Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel; his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor and 10 others in Kuje prison.Kanu, who personally signed the document, stated that the application was in compliance with the court’s order of October 16, which directed him to open his defence on October 24.In the motion entitled ‘Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant’, Kanu seeks to call 23 witnesses, including international experts, state governors, military generals and former intelligence officials. He divided the witnesses into two categories: voluntary but material witnesses and vital compellable witnesses to be subpoenaed under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.Among the voluntary witnesses is Emeka Umeagbalasi, a political historian, who will testify on the legal foundations of self-determination and state violence against members of IPOB. Another unnamed forensic linguist will analyse Kanu’s public broadcasts to counter claims that they incited violence or terrorism.Also listed is Benjamin Madubugwu, a former co-accused, who will testify on the non-violent structure and goals of IPOB. Dan Ulasi, a community leader from Abia State, is expected to testify that Kanu’s broadcasts were viewed locally as political commentary, not hate speech, while an unnamed security expert will address procedural flaws and investigative irregularities in the terrorism case.United States (U.S.) lawyer, Bruce Fein, will testify on the illegality of Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya and its implications for trial jurisdiction, while Kanu’s personal physician, Prof. Martin Aghaji, is expected to testify on the effect of his prolonged detention on his physical and mental health.Digital expert, Barry Sutton, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will analyse the authenticity and chain of custody of digital evidence submitted by the prosecution.

Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel, is listed to provide witness testimony on the 2017 military raid on their Abia home. Kanu himself will testify in his own defence, denying the allegations and placing his statements within a political and legal context.In the second category of witnesses, Kanu is requesting the court to subpoena Malami to testify on the legal basis of his abduction from Kenya in 2021. He is also seeking the testimony of former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar, on the diplomatic and operational coordination of that rendition.

The motion, filed on October 21 and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, was addressed to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, yesterday, expressed concerns over reported attacks on journalists covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest on Monday.Relatedly, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Ogun State chapter, yesterday faulted the arrest and detention of Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel; his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor and 10 others in Kuje prison.Kanu, who personally signed the document, stated that the application was in compliance with the court’s order of October 16, which directed him to open his defence on October 24.In the motion entitled ‘Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant’, Kanu seeks to call 23 witnesses, including international experts, state governors, military generals and former intelligence officials. He divided the witnesses into two categories: voluntary but material witnesses and vital compellable witnesses to be subpoenaed under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

Among the voluntary witnesses is Emeka Umeagbalasi, a political historian, who will testify on the legal foundations of self-determination and state violence against members of IPOB. Another unnamed forensic linguist will analyse Kanu’s public broadcasts to counter claims that they incited violence or terrorism.

Also listed is Benjamin Madubugwu, a former co-accused, who will testify on the non-violent structure and goals of IPOB. Dan Ulasi, a community leader from Abia State, is expected to testify that Kanu’s broadcasts were viewed locally as political commentary, not hate speech, while an unnamed security expert will address procedural flaws and investigative irregularities in the terrorism case.United States (U.S.) lawyer, Bruce Fein, will testify on the illegality of Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya and its implications for trial jurisdiction, while Kanu’s personal physician, Prof. Martin Aghaji, is expected to testify on the effect of his prolonged detention on his physical and mental health.Digital expert, Barry Sutton, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will analyse the authenticity and chain of custody of digital evidence submitted by the prosecution.Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel, is listed to provide witness testimony on the 2017 military raid on their Abia home. Kanu himself will testify in his own defence, denying the allegations and placing his statements within a political and legal context.

In the second category of witnesses, Kanu is requesting the court to subpoena Malami to testify on the legal basis of his abduction from Kenya in 2021. He is also seeking the testimony of former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar, on the diplomatic and operational coordination of that rendition.

Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, is listed to speak on custody conditions and the agency’s role in the operation. An unnamed DSS officer directly involved in the rendition will be cross-examined on alleged fabrication of statements and custodial abuse.Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd), is expected to testify on the chain of command during the 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s home, while Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, will testify on the controversial proscription of IPOB by the South-East Governors Forum (SEGF).

Former governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, will testify on his administration’s role during the military operation in Umuahia, and Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State will clarify public statements he made following the assassination of Ahmed Gulak.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, who governed Rivers State during the 2020 Obigbo crisis, is to testify on the military crackdown that followed the #EndSARS protests, while Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State will testify on the findings of the Lagos #EndSARS Judicial Panel, particularly the Lekki Toll Gate incident.Former Defence Minister, Gen Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), is listed to speak on his 2018 statement warning Nigerians to defend themselves against state-backed violence.

Kanu’s motion argues that these testimonies are essential to ensuring a fair trial and to “manifestly” demonstrate that justice is being done before the Nigerian public.He has asked the court to extend the defence timeline by 90 days to accommodate the number and importance of witnesses.

INFORMATION gathered by IPC-SPJ Hub revealed that journalists, who were covering the protest coordinated by Omoyele Sowore, demanding the release of Kanu by the Federal Government, were attacked, arrested, and their gadgets confiscated.The victims include BusinessDay’s Tony Ailemen, Tunde Adeniyi, Ladi Patrick-Okwoli and Michael Godwin, who narrowly escaped death as police fired teargas at their vehicle during the protest. The teargas shattered the windshield of their vehicle.

Similarly, two Agence France Presse (AFP) journalists, John Okunyomih and Nicholas Roll, were arrested by operatives, and their gadgets were confiscated by the police officials. The police first fired tear gas at the reporters before arresting them.

Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, described the attacks as disturbing, stating that under no condition should journalists on legitimate duty be subjected to attack by security agencies.

BUT CDHR’s Chairman, Fumbi Onifade, who called for the release of the detained protesters, sought the intervention of the President Bola Tinubu administration, saying that the era of military rule, where freedom fighters were tortured and unlawfully imprisoned, was over.

She accused the police of denying the protesters their constitutional right to express their views on their call for the release of Kanu, stressing that such an arrest by the police was baseless since the protesters went on their demonstration peacefully without bullying or humiliating passers-by.