From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Federal Government’s request to shield the identities of its witnesses in the ongoing terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu is facing a seven-count amended charge bordering on treason and terrorism, filed after the Supreme Court on December 15, 2023, overturned an earlier judgment by the Court of Appeal. The appellate court had, on October 13, 2022, quashed all terrorism charges against him and ordered his release.
Since his re-arrest in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and subsequent extradition to Nigeria, Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice James Omotosho granted an ex-parte motion filed by the prosecution, allowing witnesses to testify behind a screen, with their real names replaced by pseudonyms. The judge will still be able to see the witnesses, but they will remain concealed from the public.
Prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), argued that the witnesses’ identities needed protection due to the sensitive nature of the case and security concerns. Kanu’s legal team, led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), did not oppose the application.
The Federal Government also presented its first prosecution witness on Tuesday, identified only as PWAAA, and tendered a video of Kanu’s interrogation by DSS operatives.
In the footage played in open court, Kanu admitted to founding Radio Biafra and said he was fighting for the emancipation of people from the South-East, South-South, and parts of Benue and Kogi States. He, however, denied any involvement in violence or killings in the South-East, insisting that his agitation was a legitimate pursuit of self-determination.
Justice Omotosho admitted into evidence the interrogation video, Kanu’s statement made on October 15, 2015, and various items recovered from his hotel room that same year.
