The Federal Government on Friday filed an application before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the protection of prosecuting witnesses against the embattled leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
The application which was filed by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mohammed Diri before the Justice John Tsoho-led court also sought for a secret trial.
Diri said, “Our application is to allow our witnesses who are civil servants residing in the geographical entity of the defendant.
“We take judicial notice that since the arrest of the defendant, there has been one form of protest and violence.”
The DPP informed the court that the witnesses have already indicated fear of insecurity for testifying against Kanu.
“They categorically informed us that unless they can be guaranteed some form of protection by the court, they are unwilling to come and testify.”
Diri also prayed the court to order the media not to reveal the identity of of the prosecuting witnesses.
The application was vehemently opposed by the defense counsel, Chuks Mouma who asserted that: “We do not want the court to grant the application.”
Mouma argued that the constitution has no provision for masquerades to testify against an accused person.
The defense counsel also informed the court that all cases cited by the prosecution are related to terrorism which are not applicable to on-going proceedings.
Following Mouma’s objection, Justice Tsoho stood down the matter till 2 pm for ruling.
Details later…
