Ahead of the trial of the leader of the indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, the Federal High Court on Wednesday provided a barricade to prevent the prosecuting witnesses from being viewed by the public.
Kanu, alongside two others, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are standing trial on a six-count charge of treason.
At the last sitting on Monday, the trial Judge, Justice James Tsoho had upheld the application by the prosecution that its witnesses testify behind a witness screen.
This was however objected to by Kanu’s counsel, Chuks Muoma (SAN).
Justice Tsoho while overruling Mouma’s objection said that the request by the Federal Government for its witnesses to testify behind a witness screen did not amount to revisiting the court’s earlier ruling, prohibiting the prosecution witnesses from wearing masks.
barricate1The judge had held that the argument of the prosecution led by the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Diri, that the screen is only meant to keep the witnesses from the members of the public present in court.
He pointed out that the use of the screen would not prevent the judge, the accused persons and lawyers to the parties from having visual contact with the witnesses while testifying.
The judge had adjourned the matter till today for commencement of trial.
Details later…
