An Abuja Federal High Court has refused to fully grant the Federal Government’s application to conduct in secret the trial of Sen. Ali Ndume who is standing trial on terrorism charges.
The presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole said the court did not grant the request in full because the application was not strong enough.
He maintained that while Ndume was entitled to fair hearing and trial, the state has the responsibility of protecting the lives of prosecution witnesses during the trial, thus the application creates a dilemma in choosing between fair hearing/trial and the state’s responsibility to witnesses.
“The application is not one that is sufficiently strong and in the light of this the court will grant the application in a limited manner,” Kolawole said.
“Witnesses will be shielded under a special arrangement by the court but such witnesses will also not be masked. This is, except for members of the press and parties in the suit, the public will not be allowed into the court room.’’
Through its Counsel, Mr Ernest Orji the Federal Government had, sought a court order to conduct the trial in secret.
Because of the nature of the case, Orji had urged the court to protect the identities of prosecution witnesses that were to give evidence. But Mr Isa Amaza, counsel to Ndume had argued fiercely against the prayer, saying the request would violate his client’s right to fair hearing. He urged the court not to grant the prosecution’s and let the trial be done publicly.
Ndume is standing trial for allegedly aiding the Boko Haram terrorists, by not informing law enforcement agencies of their activities he is privy to.
The trial was adjourned to 11th and 12th November.
