BIAFRA: Court Grants Witness Protection in Nnamdi Kanu’s Case As Trial Resumes

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the prosecution’s request to shield the identities of witnesses set to testify against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), citing security concerns.

Justice James Omotosho approved the application, moved by prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, who argued that witness protection was necessary due to the terrorism nature of the charges.

Nnamdi Kanu‘s counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, did not object to the application but requested reciprocal cooperation from the prosecution during the bail application hearing.

The prosecution has commenced presenting its case, with the first witness, identified as PWAAA, taking the stand.

Nnamdi Kanu faces treasonable felony and terrorism charges related to his separatist agitation for an independent Biafra nation.

Kanu was re-arraigned before Mr Omotosho in March, following his protest forcing the former trial judge, Binta Nyako, who had been handling the case since 2016, to recuse herself from the case.

But shortly before the charges were read to him before Mr outburst outbursts against Mrs Nyako while protesting against her handling of the case.

It was the first time the matter would come up in Mr Omotosho’s court. Mr Kanu pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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Before pleading to charges, Mr Kanu passionately asked for forgiveness of the former judge and promised to be of good conduct throughout the duration of his trial.

Mr Kanu’s apology was contained in a lengthy prepared speech delivered by his new lawyer, Mr Agabi, who was appearing for him for the first time that day.

In the emotion-laden address, Mr Kanu specifically apologised to Mrs Nyako and Mr Awomolo to forgive and forget his outburst and attacks against them in the open court.

Biafra agitation, when first enacted in the 1960s, led to the Civil War that raged between 1967 and 1970 within the first decade of Nigeria’s Independence.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu took the baton for the Biafra agitation and escalated it in 2015, asserting that he and his people have the right to self-determination.

The Nigerian government arrested and charged him in 2015, as it increasingly became uncomfortable with Mazi Kanu’s separatist campaigns through then-Radio Biafra.

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