The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that key prosecution witnesses in the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will testify behind a 'protective screen' to safeguard their identities and ensure their safety.
This decision, granted by the Federal High Court in Abuja, follows security concerns raised by the prosecution over threats and potential intimidation against witnesses willing to testify in the high-profile case. The measure allows the witnesses to testify without revealing their physical identity to the public or to the defendant, while still permitting cross-examination by the defense team.
Kanu is facing terrorism-related charges linked to his leadership of IPOB, a group the Nigerian government proscribed as a terrorist organization in 2017. The charges include inciting violence, unlawful broadcast, and acts deemed to threaten national security.
The court's ruling has sparked mixed reactions, with supporters of Kanu decrying the move as a violation of his right to a fair trial, while government officials argue it is a necessary step to protect lives and ensure justice proceeds without undue influence or danger.
Legal analysts suggest the trial, already a focal point of national and international attention, could set precedents on how terrorism cases are handled in Nigeria, particularly regarding witness protection and the balance between state security and defendant rights.