A Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the Nigerian government’s request to shield the identities of its witnesses in the ongoing terrorism trial of Biafra separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, April 29, by Justice James Omotosho, followed an ex-parte application filed by the government’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Solomon, SAN. Solomon argued that due to the sensitive nature of the terrorism-related charges, the witnesses should be allowed to testify behind a screen for their safety.
Kanu’s lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, did not oppose the request but urged the government to show similar cooperation when Kanu’s bail application is heard.
Following the court’s decision, the first prosecution witness, identified only as PWAAA, began giving testimony as the trial officially commenced.