Terrorism Trial: Kanu Lists Wike, Sanwo-Olu, Buratai Among 23 Witnesses
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has submitted a list of 23 witnesses he intends to call in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The list reportedly includes prominent political and military figures such as Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.).
Kanu’s legal team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, filed the list as part of the defence’s preparations to counter the federal government’s 15-count terrorism-related charges against him. The witnesses, according to the defence, are expected to testify on issues relating to military operations in the Southeast, human rights violations, and the alleged extrajudicial actions carried out under Nigeria’s security agencies during the government’s crackdown on IPOB members.
The witness list, sources said, also includes senior military officers, journalists, and international human rights observers, who are expected to provide testimonies supporting claims that Kanu’s activities were political and non-violent, rather than terrorist in nature.
Ejimakor, in a statement, argued that the inclusion of high-profile names such as Wike, Sanwo-Olu, and Buratai demonstrates the defence’s resolve to prove that Kanu’s arrest and continued detention were politically motivated and legally flawed.
“Our client has the constitutional right to call any witness whose testimony can help establish the truth,” Ejimakor said. “This case goes beyond Nnamdi Kanu — it’s about accountability and the rule of law.”
The development comes amid renewed calls from Igbo leaders and human rights groups for Kanu’s release, citing his deteriorating health and prolonged detention despite several court rulings ordering his freedom.
The Federal Government, through the Department of State Services (DSS), has maintained that Kanu poses a national security threat, alleging that his broadcasts incited violence and attacks on public institutions.
The court is expected to rule soon on pending motions filed by Kanu’s legal team, including one challenging the competence of the charges and another demanding his transfer from DSS custody to a correctional facility.
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