Skip to main content

Nnamdi Kanu’s trial: Court allows witnesses to be shielded

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is the leader of IPOB

The Federal High Court on Tuesday in Abuja approved Federal Government’s request to protect the identities of prosecution witnesses in the trial of detained Pro-Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is being tried along Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

Giving ruling in the motion filed by Mr Mohammed Labaran, counsel to government, Justice Binta Nyako held that the application was meritorious.

She said the prayer to shield the names and addresses of the prosecution witnesses who were largely security operatives was not a bad idea, adding that the law supported it.

“It is therefore the court’s order that the names and addresses of the prosecution witnesses shall only remain with the court.

“The prosecution witnesses who should appear in combination of alphabets will be given screens, which will be provided by the court.

“The defendants and their counsel will however be able to see the witnesses before they testify,’’ Nyako held.

She further said: “let the public not misconstrue the stance of the court as a grant for a secret trial.

“The court shall be open for public, including accredited journalists and families of the defendants.”

It would be recalled that the applicant had applied for all the witnesses to be allowed to testify behind screen.

The prosecution also prayed that the identities of the witnesses should not to be revealed in any record of the proceedings.

The defendants had vehemently opposed the application, contending that granting such request would amount to gross violation of their rights to fair hearing.

The defendants were alleged to have conspired to broadcast on Radio Biafra, which is monitored in Enugu and its environs, on cessation plans.

They were alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, among others.

Meanwhile, the judge had adjourned trial until January 10, 2017.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fire: UniJos Senate convenes emergency meeting on Monday

Fire at the University of Jos Library University of Jos is to convene an emergency senate meeting on Monday to review the level of damage done to the institution by the Saturday night inferno. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting areas affected by the incident. The fire, which lasted for more than six hours, destroyed the Library Complex that equally houses the faculties of management and social sciences. The fire also destroyed examination scripts, books and very crucial materials. Consequently, the vice-chancellor said “the Senate will meet tomorrow (Monday) to take a decision about the unmarked examination scripts that were burnt.” On the cause of the inferno, Maimako said investigation had commenced, adding that “nothing has been confirmed yet. We are still investigating.” The vice chancellor said the school was already working with federal authorities toward establishing a main fire station since the mini fire station in t...
Post a Comment
Read more

UK gets new prime minister Wednesday

Britain Home Secretary Theresa May to be officially unveiled as UK’s new Prime Minister on Wednesday David Cameron is to step down as Prime Minister on Wednesday after Prime Minister’s Questions. Theresa May will succeed him. An eurozone’s top official says it’s important that Britain’s next prime minister gets on with sorting out the implications of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union as soon as possible, reports Associated Press. Speaking after it became apparent that Theresa May could replace David Cameron as soon as this week, Jeroen Dijsselbloem said the next British prime minister will have to “find solutions for the Brexit which has been causing a lot of problems particularly for the U.K., but also for Europe.” He said that the “sooner we can sort out this problematic situation the better.” Dijsselbloem spoke ahead of a meeting of the eurozone’s 19 finance ministers in Brussels. Though Britain’s decision to leave the EU isn’t a primary topic of discussion, the ...
Post a Comment
Read more