Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has named several prominent figures, including sitting governors, ministers, and former military chiefs, among his 23 witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Those listed include Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, Minister of Works David Umahi, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Chiefs of Army Staff Gen. Theophilus Danjuma and Gen. Tukur Buratai, and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN).

Also on the list are the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, his predecessor Yusuf Bichi, and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

Kanu, who personally signed the document, urged the court to extend the six days earlier granted for his defence to 90 days. He categorized his witnesses into two groups ordinary but material defence witnesses and vital witnesses to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

According to Kanu, Wike will testify on the alleged Obigbo massacre during the EndSARS protests, while Uzodinma is expected to clarify statements he made after the killing of Ahmed Gulak. Gen. Danjuma will speak on his 2018 self-defence warning, and Gen. Buratai will testify regarding the 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s Umuahia residence.

Sanwo-Olu’s testimony will centre on the findings of the Lagos EndSARS Judicial Panel, while Umahi and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu will address issues surrounding the proscription of IPOB and the 2017 military invasion in Abia, respectively.

Kanu also listed Malami, Bichi, Ajayi, and Abubakar to testify on matters relating to his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021. An unnamed DSS official will be cross-examined on alleged abduction, custodial abuse, and fabrication of witness statements.

Other witnesses include Bruce Fein, a U.S.-based constitutional lawyer; Emeritus Prof. Martin Aghaji, Kanu’s physician; Barry Sutton, a digital-security expert from MIT; and Chief Emeka Umeagbalasi, an expert in political history and self-determination. His brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, is also expected to testify as an eyewitness to the 2017 military invasion of their family home.

In his motion, Kanu requested the court to issue necessary subpoenas and witness summonses, stressing that their testimonies are crucial to ensuring a fair trial.

He met privately with his defence team on Wednesday led by Kanu Agabi (SAN) and comprising Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Paul Erokoro (SAN) ahead of the commencement of his defence today, following Justice James Omotosho’s dismissal of his no-case submission.