The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated a clear condition under which he would stand as a witness in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike explained that he will not appear in court merely because his name was listed in newspapers as a potential witness. He emphasized that he would comply only if formally summoned or subpoenaed to testify in the ongoing trial of the IPOB leader.
“You don’t become a witness by reading the newspaper. Nobody has served me any process; nobody has subpoenaed me,” Wike said.
“So, because I saw Wike listed, I will now begin to run helter-skelter. No, you don’t do that. If I am served, if I am subpoenaed to come and give a witness or give evidence, I must obey the court; I must appear.”
When asked if he knew why Nnamdi Kanu had listed him as one of his witnesses, Wike admitted he did not and suggested only Kanu could provide an answer.
“If you see Nnamdi Kanu, you ask him, ‘Why did you list me? I did not go and say I want to be a witness.’ So, if you see him, ask him, ‘Why did you list Wike as one of your witnesses?’”
Earlier this week, Nnamdi Kanu filed a fresh motion in the Federal High Court, Abuja, listing former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and other top political and security figures as potential witnesses in his terrorism trial. The motion, filed on October 21, 2025, and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, was addressed to Justice James Omotosho.
Titled ‘Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant’, Kanu’s application complies with the court order of October 16, which directed him to open his defence on October 24.
Kanu intends to call 23 witnesses, including international experts, state governors, military generals, and former intelligence officials. He categorized the witnesses into voluntary but material witnesses and vital compellable witnesses to be subpoenaed under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Among the voluntary witnesses are:
- Emeka Umeagbalasi, a political historian, who will testify on the legal foundations of self-determination and state violence against IPOB members.
- A forensic linguist, who will analyse Kanu’s public broadcasts to counter allegations of inciting violence.
- Benjamin Madubugwu, a former co-accused, testifying on IPOB’s non-violent structure and objectives.
- Dan Ulasi, a community leader from Abia State, who will assert that Kanu’s broadcasts were political commentary, not hate speech.
- An unnamed security expert addressing procedural flaws in the terrorism case.
- Bruce Fein, a U.S. lawyer, who will discuss the legality of Kanu’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya.
- Prof. Martin Aghaji, Kanu’s personal physician, commenting on the effect of prolonged detention on his health.
Other high-profile witnesses include former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd), and Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo State).
The list also includes the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Nyesom Wike himself.
Held in detention since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021, Nnamdi Kanu continues to challenge the legal basis of his detention while preparing to present a robust defence supported by a mix of political, legal, and international expert witnesses.
