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Nnamdi Kanu Lists top Politicians, Generals as Defence Witnesses

Published

1 year ago

October 23, 2025

Nnamdi Kanu lists Wike, Sanwo-Olu, Buratai, and others as defence witnesses in his terrorism trial, seeking a 90-day window to open his case

Nnamdi Kanu defence witnesses include some of Nigeria’s most prominent political and military figures, as the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra prepares to open his case in the long-running terrorism trial against him.

Also read: Ohanaeze Youth Council Urges End to Nnamdi Kanu Trial

In a new motion filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Kanu revealed his plan to call 23 witnesses, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.).

The IPOB leader, who personally signed the defence notice, categorised his witnesses into “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses.”

Others on the latter list include former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), Minister of Works David Umahi, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN).

Kanu said his team would rely on Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011, to compel the appearance of those considered essential to his defence. He also requested a 90-day window to conclude his case, pledging to testify personally.

“I will 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 said in the filing.

“It will interest the honourable court and the general public that justice is not only done but is manifestly seen to have been done.”

The development followed Justice James Omotosho’s ruling that a prima facie case had been established against Kanu after dismissing his earlier no-case submission.

The court has fixed October 23 for the formal opening of his defence.

Meanwhile, Kanu’s legal team’s request to have him transferred to the National Hospital for medical treatment was rejected, with the prosecution insisting that the DSS facility was adequate.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) later declared Kanu medically fit to stand trial—a report his family dismissed as “fabricated.”

Speaking from Abia State, Kanunta Kanu, the IPOB leader’s brother, alleged that the NMA never examined Kanu and that the report was “a concoction of the prosecution.”

“Any medical report presented is fake. We want the world to know that NMA did not visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for any medical test,” he said.

He accused the Federal Government of persecuting his brother and warned that continued injustice against the Igbo people could deepen national disunity.

The family also defended activist Omoyele Sowore, whose recent #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja led to the arrest of Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his brother Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others. They described the arrests as “unlawful and vindictive,” calling for their immediate release.

“Sowore did what many Igbo politicians were too afraid to do. Anyone linking him to the arrests is being mischievous,” Kanunta said.

Also read: Nnamdi Kanu Release Sparks Bold Demand by Enugu Governor

The Nnamdi Kanu defence witnesses list marks a pivotal moment in his decade-long terrorism trial, which has seen multiple court rulings, political tensions, and renewed calls for his unconditional release.

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Health

Kenya Releases 20 Ebola Contacts After 21 Days in Quarantine

Published

13 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Kenya Ebola contacts: 20 people have been released after 21 days in quarantine without symptoms as health authorities continue outbreak monitoring

Kenya has released 20 people linked to its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease after they completed 21 days of quarantine without developing symptoms, as health authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak.

Also read: 2027: Shettima Says Peter Obi Has Nothing to Offer Nigerians

The World Health Organisation’s Regional Office for Africa announced the development on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the individuals had undergone final health assessments and received counselling on precautions and follow-up care where necessary before reuniting with their families.

Kenya’s Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, urged communities to welcome the released individuals without stigma.

“We ask communities to welcome them home warmly,” Amoth said. “Having completed 21 days without symptoms, they pose no risk of infection to anyone.”

The WHO said 98 contacts remained in quarantine as of Monday, while eight contacts had developed symptoms and tested positive for Ebola through laboratory tests.

According to the organisation, all eight individuals were already in quarantine when they developed symptoms and were subsequently transferred to the country’s Ebola treatment centre in Nairobi.

Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths since reporting its first imported case on October 6, 2026.

The WHO said all nine cases were linked to the same cluster, with no evidence of wider community transmission at the time of its update.

The organisation said health authorities had traced all 135 contacts, both within Kenya and internationally, by October 22, placing them under quarantine and monitoring.

The WHO continues to support Kenya’s response through coordination, disease surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, case management, infection prevention and control, screening at points of entry, and public health communication.

The WHO Representative to Kenya, Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, said people who completed quarantine had helped protect their families and communities.

“People who complete quarantine have helped protect their families, their communities and the whole country,” she said.

Kimambo also commended Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Public Health Institute, and national and county health teams for responding to new cases.

The WHO said there was no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease, but early detection and supportive medical care could improve the chances of recovery.

It advised against travel restrictions, recommending evidence-based measures such as health screening at entry and exit points, surveillance and contact tracing instead.

Also read: 2027: Shettima Says Peter Obi Has Nothing to Offer Nigerians

Although the release of the first 20 contacts marks progress in Kenya’s response, health authorities continue to monitor those still in quarantine and maintain surveillance to identify any further cases promptly.