Nnamdi Kanu trial, Justice Omotosho, IPOB leader, Wike witness summons, Federal High Court Abuja
In a significant development in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Federal High Court in Abuja has approved his request to summon key witnesses to testify in his defense.
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, confirmed during Thursday’s hearing that the witness summons had been duly prepared and were ready for service. The ruling marks a major milestone in the high-profile terrorism case that has drawn national and international attention.
According to the court, Kanu’s legal team is now authorized to call several high-ranking political and military figures including former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike to provide testimony. Justice Omotosho emphasized that this decision aligns with the constitutional right of every defendant to a fair and complete hearing.
“The defendant must be given the opportunity to present his case fully,” the judge stated, noting that the presence of witnesses was crucial to ensuring justice is served without bias.
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Reports from The Punch on Thursday, October 23, 2025, indicate that Kanu’s defense considers the testimonies of these 23 witnesses essential to his case. Legal analysts suggest that the witnesses may shed light on government actions, security operations, and policy decisions that played a role in Kanu’s arrest and ongoing prosecution.
Since his re-arrest and extradition to Nigeria in June 2021, Nnamdi Kanu has consistently denied the terrorism and treasonable felony charges filed against him by the Federal Government. The defense’s latest move is seen as a strategic effort to challenge the prosecution’s narrative and expose potential state overreach.
Observers believe the court’s approval to summon witnesses could reshape the direction of the trial, signaling a new phase in the long-standing legal battle between Kanu and the Nigerian state. The court has adjourned proceedings to a later date, when the defense will outline how the testimonies are expected to strengthen Kanu’s claims.
This development further highlights the complexity and national importance of the case, as Nigerians continue to watch closely how the legal process unfolds in one of the country’s most politically charged trials in recent years.