The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says he will only appear as a witness in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), if he is formally summoned by the court.
Gatekeepers News reports that Wike made this known during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, following reports that Kanu had listed him among potential witnesses in his terrorism trial.
The former Rivers State governor clarified that he has not been served with any court process or subpoena compelling him to testify.
“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 Kanu included him among his witnesses, Wike said he had no idea.
“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?’”
he said, declining to comment on whether Kanu’s detention required a political solution.
Earlier this week, Kanu filed a fresh motion seeking to call 23 witnesses in his terrorism case, including top political, military, and security figures.
The motion, dated October 21, 2025, and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, was filed before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in compliance with the court’s directive for Kanu to open his defence on October 24.
Kanu’s witness list includes former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Minister of Works Dave Umahi, former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and Wike.
Other witnesses include U.S. lawyer Bruce Fein, who will testify on the legality of Kanu’s rendition from Kenya; Prof. Martin Aghaji, his personal physician; and several experts and community leaders expected to testify on issues of human rights, state violence, and self-determination.
Kanu, who has been in detention since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021, divided his witnesses into voluntary and compellable categories under Section 232 of the Evidence Act (2011).
