Court Grants FG’s Request for Veiled Witnesses at Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Federal Government’s request to allow prosecution witnesses to testify behind protective screens in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The ruling, delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Monday, follows a motion filed by the prosecution seeking security measures to protect witnesses expected to testify against Kanu, who faces charges including terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement.

According to the Federal Government, the anonymity and physical shielding of witnesses are necessary due to threats and safety concerns surrounding the high-profile case.

The court agreed, ruling that the use of screens will not compromise the defendant’s right to a fair trial.

“This court is convinced that given the security circumstances, protecting the identity of prosecution witnesses is justifiable. The integrity of the proceedings will not be undermined by this measure,”Justice Omotosho ruled.

The decision allows witnesses to testify from behind physical barriers within the courtroom, obscuring their identities from the public and members of the press, while still allowing the defense legal team to hear and cross-examine them.

Defense counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) had opposed the motion, describing it as an attempt to introduce secrecy into a criminal trial. He argued that the move violates constitutional guarantees of a public trial and the accused’s ability to confront his accusers.

“This is a political trial disguised as a criminal proceeding,” Ozekhome said after the hearing. “Shielding witnesses creates a fertile ground for concocted testimony and undermines the transparency that should define our justice system.”

Kanu has been in custody since June 2021, when he was arrested abroad and returned to Nigeria under controversial circumstances. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining that his actions are in pursuit of the legitimate right of the Igbo people to self-determination.

The courtroom was under tight security as hundreds of Kanu’s supporters gathered outside, waving flags and chanting slogans demanding his release. Some carried placards criticizing the court’s decision, describing it as biased and unjust.

In a statement issued shortly after the ruling, IPOB condemned the court’s decision, calling it a “travesty of justice” and an “affront to the principles of open and fair trial.”

Legal experts have expressed mixed reactions to the ruling. Some say the decision reflects the realities of prosecuting terrorism-related cases in Nigeria, where witnesses have been subject to intimidation. Others argue it sets a dangerous precedent for due process, especially in politically sensitive trials.

The case is scheduled to continue on May 20, when the first set of shielded witnesses are expected to testify.