The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Federal Government permission to conceal the identities of witnesses set to testify against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The ruling came after an ex-parte application filed by the prosecution team led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. The court approved that all witnesses be allowed to testify behind a screen and be identified only by acronyms, not their real names.
Chief Awomolo argued that the identity protection was necessary due to national security concerns and the sensitive nature of the treason-related charges against Kanu.
Despite the secrecy, the judge will be able to see the witnesses directly. Notably, Kanu’s defense team—led by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN—did not oppose the prosecution’s request.
Following the court’s approval, the Federal Government formally opened its case against the IPOB leader by presenting its first protected witness, referred to only as PWAAA.
Kanu is currently facing a re-trial (de novo) on a seven-count charge of treasonable felony. The case was reassigned to Justice Omotosho after Justice Binta Nyako, the previous judge, withdrew from the trial amid allegations of bias.
Background of Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Battle
Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested in Lagos on October 14, 2015, upon his return from the United Kingdom. He was granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017, after 18 months in detention, and was released from Kuje Prison three days later.
In 2017, Kanu fled the country following a military raid on his residence in Afara Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, an incident that reportedly led to multiple casualties.
He was re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and was extraordinarily renditioned back to Nigeria on June 27, 2021. Since then, he has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
On April 8, 2022, the Federal High Court struck out eight of the 15-count charges against Kanu for lacking merit. Later, on October 13, 2022, the Court of Appeal ordered his release and dismissed the remaining charges.
However, the Federal Government appealed to the Supreme Court, which on December 15, 2023, overturned the appellate court’s ruling and reinstated the trial on the remaining seven-count charge.
Kanu’s trial continues, with the Federal Government pushing forward under tightened security and protected witness protocols.
Vanguard
