By Deborah Nnamdi
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he will not appear as a witness in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), simply because his name appeared in newspapers.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike clarified that he had not received any formal notice or summons from the court to testify in the case.
“You don’t become a witness by reading the newspaper. Nobody has served me any process; nobody has subpoenaed me,” Wike stated. “So, because I saw Wike listed, I will not 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 why Kanu included his name among his witnesses, the minister 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?’”
Wike, however, declined to comment on whether Kanu’s continued detention should be resolved through a political solution.
Kanu, who is facing terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja, reportedly listed Wike among several prominent Nigerians as potential witnesses in his defense. Others named include former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021.
