Kanu's Trial: FG Seeks Protection For Witnesses

The Federal Government of Nigeria has asked a Federal High Court to protect its witnesses from the public during the trial of the self proclaimed leader of the indigenous people of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu.

Counsel to the government, Mr David Kaswe, told the court on Friday that the application is pursuant to the fact that the prosecution witnesses many of whom reside in the geographical entity of the accused persons, have said that they will not be willing to testify unless they are assured of their security .

He added that most of the witnesses categorically informed his team that unless they can be guaranteed some form of protection by the court ,they will not testify .

Mr Kaswe in persuading the court ,further told the trial judge, Justice James Tsoho, that the case of the prosecution would greatly frustrate in the event, if their witness are not protected and they refuse to attend the proceedings to testify .

Objecting  the application, counsel to the accused persons, Chuks Muoma, urged the court to discountenance the application as it lacks merit .

According to him, all  the cases relied upon by the prosecution, are terrorism related and have no relations at all, with the case in point .

He also said that the prosecution cannot accuse his clients in public and seek to try them in secret adding that it would take away the justice of the case .

Ruling has been stood down to 2pm for the judge to decide in the application.