Court okays Nigerian Govt to use masked witnesses to testify in charges against Nnamdi Kanu

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Nigerian government’s request to allow its witnesses testify behind a screen in the terrorism case against Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice James Omotosho gave the ruling on Tuesday, April 29, while addressing an ex-parte application filed by the government’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Solomon, SAN. Solomon argued that concealing the identities of the witnesses was necessary for security reasons, noting that the charges against Kanu involve terrorism-related offenses.

He urged the court to shield the witnesses’ identities from the public to ensure their safety. The application faced no objection from Kanu’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, prompting the judge to approve the request.

Agabi, however, appealed to the federal government for reciprocal cooperation when Kanu’s bail application is eventually heard.

As at press time, the federal government’s first witness—identified by the code name PWAAA—has begun testifying as the prosecution opens its case.