Court Grants Federal Government Protection for Witness in Alleged Coup Trial

By

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted an application by the Federal Government to shield a prosecution witness in the trial of six persons accused of plotting a coup against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik approved the request after the prosecution argued that the witness, a serving security officer, faced potential risk if his identity was disclosed during proceedings.

The defendants are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information and money laundering.

They include Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major general; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based cleric.

All six defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo informed the court that four witnesses were present and the government was ready to open its case.

Three witnesses from Jaiz Bank, SunTrust Bank and Providus Bank testified and tendered documents obtained from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which were admitted in evidence.

The controversy arose when the fourth witness was called, prompting the prosecution to seek protective measures under Section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The prosecution argued that the witness required anonymity and protection due to security concerns linked to the nature of the charges.

While the defence did not oppose protection in principle, they argued that concealing the identity of the witness would undermine the defendants’ right to fair hearing and effective cross-examination.

Delivering her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds for protection, particularly given the terrorism-related nature of the case.

She ruled that the witness’s identity, including name and personal details, should not be disclosed in court records or proceedings accessible to the public or parties.

The judge ordered that protective measures be fully implemented, including the use of shielding arrangements in the courtroom during testimony.

The trial is expected to continue with further prosecution evidence in the ongoing case.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kwara North Unites at Ilorin Rally, Backs Tinubu, Demands Governorship Shift

By
Image
 A large political rally in Ilorin on Tuesday saw renewed support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and strong calls for the governorship of Kwara State to be zoned to Kwara North in 2027. The rally, held at Metropolitan Square, Asa Dam, attracted party members, stakeholders and supporters from across the state, signalling rising political mobilisation ahead of the next election cycle. Speakers at the event stressed the need for equity, fairness and justice in the distribution of political power, urging the All Progressives Congress at both state and national levels to zone its governorship ticket to Kwara North. Representing traditional rulers from the district, the Emir of Lafiagi, Muhammed Kudu Kawu , said the demand reflects the long-standing aspiration of the people. He noted that Kwara North has remained largely excluded from the state’s top leadership despite its contributions to electoral victories and political stability. Kawu added that the district h...
Read more

FG Approves Major NYSC Reform, Introduces Civilian Leadership Structure

By
Image
The Federal Government has approved a comprehensive restructuring of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, marking the first major reform of the scheme since its establishment 53 years ago. The approval was granted at the federal executive council meeting held in Abuja on Monday as part of efforts to reposition the NYSC into a skills-focused and productivity-driven institution aligned with the Federal Government’s economic and youth development agenda. A major component of the reform is the introduction of a civilian-led operational structure for the scheme, while the military will continue to provide security support for corps members across the country. The council also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the implementation of the reforms. Announcing the development, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the initiative ...
Read more

NYSC Reform: FG Replaces Khaki Uniform With Adire Fabric

By
Image
The Federal Government has announced that the traditional khaki uniform of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, will be replaced with Adire fabric as part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the scheme and promoting local production. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the initiative is designed to strengthen indigenous industries and ensure government spending supports Nigeria’s economy. According to the minister, the new NYSC uniform will be produced locally, noting that Adire is already manufactured in several parts of the country, including Ogun and Kwara states. “It’s Adire. So, Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country,” Olawande said. He explained that the decision forms part of broader reforms intended to boost Nigeria’s textile industry, encourage l...
Read more