ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said Friday he would appear as a witness in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), if formally subpoenaed by the court.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, Wike responded to reports that Kanu had listed him among 23 witnesses in his defense motion filed earlier this week at the Federal High Court. The list also includes former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retired), former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (retired), and several serving governors.
“I did not go to him to say I want to be a witness,” Wike said. “Nobody has served me any process. If I am subpoenaed to give evidence, I must obey the court. I must appear.”
The statement has triggered reactions across Nigeria’s political and legal landscape.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged restraint and respect for judicial processes. “Let the courts do their work. Political figures must not inflame tensions around sensitive trials,” he said in a statement issued through his media office.
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, emphasized the importance of due process. “The rule of law must prevail. If a public official is subpoenaed, they are duty-bound to appear. It’s not a matter of choice,” he said during a legal symposium in Abuja.
Activists and civil society groups welcomed Wike’s remarks, interpreting them as a commitment to transparency. “This is a rare moment of accountability. If Wike testifies, it could shed light on the political dimensions of Kanu’s detention,” said Aisha Lawal, director of the Civic Integrity Network.
However, others cautioned against politicizing the trial. “We must separate legal proceedings from political theater,” said Chinedu Eze, a constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate. “The court must remain impartial, regardless of who is called to testify.”
Supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to which Wike is aligned, expressed mixed reactions. APC youth leader Ibrahim Musa said, “Wike’s readiness to testify shows respect for the rule of law, but we must avoid turning the courtroom into a political battleground.”
Kanu’s trial, which resumed Friday, centers on terrorism-related charges stemming from his leadership of IPOB, a group seeking independence for southeastern Nigeria. His legal team has argued that the charges are politically motivated and that his detention violates international human rights norms.
Observers say Wike’s potential testimony could carry significant weight, depending on the nature of the questions and the court’s direction. The trial continues next week.
