BIAFRA: Kanu fumes at court, says FG witnesses can’t testify in secret

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday approved the prayer of the Federal Government to have the identities of prosecution witnesses concealed, in the suit against Pro-Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu, unhappy with the judgment, fumed from the dock insisting he must be allowed to stand his trial in Public. He threatened that by the time he gives testimony before the court there may be no county like Nigeria anymore.

In her ruling in the motion filed by the counsel to government, Mr Mohammed Labaran, asking that the identities of those to witness against Kanu and others be concealed, Justice Binta Nyako held that the application was meritorious.

In her words, “It is therefore the court’s order that the names and addresses of the prosecution witnesses shall only remain with the court. The prosecution witnesses who should appear in combination of alphabets will be given screens, which will be provided by the court.

“The defendants and their counsel will however be able to see the witnesses before they testify.”

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Apparently in realisation that her order may receive different interpretation by the public, she warned that the public should not misconstrue the stance of the court “as a grant for a secret trial.”

She added, “The court shall be open for public, including accredited journalists and families of the defendants.”

Kanu, from the dock, opposed the ruling and rattled, “I won’t stand this travesty of Justice. Buhari spoke in public, he accused me in public. I must also be allowed to stand my trial in public. This is nonsense! I will give testimony before this court! By the time I finish, there will be no Nigeria. This is no Sharia court. It is a court that operates under the common law.

“There will be no screening of witnesses, no fake identities or fake addresses. I cannot be tried in secret. No! Nnamdi Kanu cannot be jailed in secret! They are mad. Why must I be tried in secrecy by a government that does not obey court orders. They are killing my people in public, after killing my people they want to try me in private? That person is mad. I won’t allow it.“, Kanu fumed.

Among others, defendants are accused of conspiring to broadcast on Radio Biafra.

They were also accused of treasonable felony, which is punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, among others.
The judge adjourned trial until January 10, 2017.

 

 

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