The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has informed the Federal High Court that he is ready to begin his defence.
Kanu, who is standing trial for alleged treasonable felony, filed a fresh motion in which he assured the court that he was “prepared to commence his defence” as earlier directed.
Naija News reports that this comes shortly after activist Omoyele Sowore led a protest in Abuja demanding his release.
In the motion dated October 21, Kanu said his decision was in line with the order of the court made on October 16, 2025, directing him to open his defence on October 24, 2025.
Kanu’s latest filing came days after he had raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue hearing the case. That objection was filed the same day a team of court-appointed medical experts declared him medically fit to stand trial.
“Pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on the 16th day of October 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on the 24th day of October 2025, I am ready to do so,” Kanu stated in the motion personally signed by him.
IPOB Leader to Call 23 Witnesses
The IPOB leader disclosed plans to call 23 witnesses, divided into two categories — ordinary but material witnesses and vital and compellable witnesses.
Among those he described as compellable are several high-profile Nigerians, including:
Former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd);
Former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd);
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu;
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma;
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike;
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and
Former Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
The embattled IPOB leader also listed the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and current Director-General of the DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, alongside several unnamed witnesses.
“The second category of witnesses shall be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011,” Kanu noted.
Kanu Seeks 90 Days for Defence
Naija News understands that Kanu asked the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, to grant a 90-day timeframe to conclude his defence given the number of witnesses and the scope of his evidence.
He added that he intends to personally testify in court to “deny the allegations and explain the political context of his statements and actions.
“I shall testify on my own behalf, providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of my statements and actions.”
Kanu assured the court that all voluntary witnesses would submit sworn statements and that his defence team would not waste judicial time.
“It would interest the honourable court and the public that justice is not only done but seen to have been done,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the same day Kanu filed his motion, a Magistrate Court in Abuja ordered the remand of 13 persons, including his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, who had joined protests demanding Kanu’s release.
The group, which included Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel Kanu, and 11 others, were arraigned by the police on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public nuisance, in violation of sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code.
Those listed in the two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) include Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.
After standing down the matter briefly, the magistrate ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment, which was fixed for October 24.
Naija News reports that Tuesday’s developments mark a new phase in Kanu’s long-running trial, which has spanned years of legal battles, political tension, and public protests. While supporters continue to demand his unconditional release, the government maintains that the IPOB leader must face justice for alleged offences against the state.
The coming days, particularly his scheduled defence on October 24, are expected to draw significant attention from both domestic and international observers tracking Nigeria’s human rights and judicial processes.