A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday granted the federal government’s request to protect the identities of witnesses set to testify against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice James Omotosho granted the application following an ex parte motion moved by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, counsel to the Federal Government’s.
Awomolo argued that the witnesses’ identities should be concealed for security reasons, citing the terrorism-related charges against Nnamdi Kanu as justification for the request
Read also: Nnamdi Kanu apologises, asks for forgiveness over misconduct in court
Awomolo urged the court to shield the names of the witnesses from the public on general security grounds.
Kanu Agabi SAN,Kanu’s lead counsel, did not oppose the application but requested reciprocal cooperation from the federal government when Kanu’s bail application is heard.
Justice Omotosho granted the request.
Meanwhile, the prosecution formally opened its case, with the first witness—identified only as PWAAA—beginning testimony.
Read also: Nnamdi Kanu denies FG’s terrorism accusations
It would be recalled that Nnamdi Kanu, is facing terrorism-related charges brought by the federal government .
He was first arrested in 2015 on charges including treasonable felony and was later granted bail in 2017.
However, he fled the country after a military raid on his residence and remained abroad until his controversial re-arrest and extradition to Nigeria in 2021.
