The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly confirmed that he will appear as a witness in the ongoing terrorism trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, provided he is formally served a court subpoena.
Condition for Testifying
Speaking during a monthly media chat on Friday, Mr Wike addressed reports that Mr Kanu had listed him as one of 23 defence witnesses.
Mr Wike clarified that he was not aware of the reason for being listed and had not requested to be named as a witness, stating:
“Nobody has served me process; nobody has subpoenaed me… If I am served, if I am subpoenaed to come and give witness, or to give evidence, I must obey the court, I must appear.”
The Minister emphasised that he cannot become a witness simply by reading reports in the newspaper. His readiness to testify, if compelled by judicial order, underscores a commitment to obeying the rule of law.
Mr Kanu, whose “no-case submission” was recently dismissed, had filed a motion informing the Federal High Court in Abuja of his intention to open his defence and call several high-profile figures, including Mr Wike, a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), and former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), as “vital and compellable witnesses.”
