Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says he will testify in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), only if the court directs him to do so.
Wike stated this during a media parley on Friday in Abuja, adding that being named as a witness does not require him to appear in court.
“You don’t become a witness by reading the newspaper. Nobody has served me any process or subpoena,” he said.
“Because I was listed doesn’t mean I’ll start running around. If the court serves or summons me to appear as a witness or give evidence, I will comply.”
Wike declined to comment on calls for a political solution to Kanu’s continued detention.
The minister’s comment followed recent developments in Kanu’s case. On Thursday, Kanu dismissed his legal team led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), prompting the lawyers to formally withdraw their representation.
He later submitted a list of 23 witnesses he plans to call, classified as “ordinary but material” and “vital and compellable” under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.
Those listed as “vital and compellable” include Theophilus Danjuma, former Minister of Defence; Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State; and Wike.
Others are Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State; Dave Umahi, Minister of Works; Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation; Ahmed Rufai, former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Yusuf Bichi, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); and Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the current DSS Director-General.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021 and faces terrorism charges.
The court has rejected several requests for his release for medical treatment, while calls for his freedom especially from the South-East continue to grow. His lawyers also claim that his health is deteriorating in detention.
