Court orders protection for prosecution witnesses

The Abuja Federal High Court has granted an order to allow prosecution witnesses in the trial of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, to testify behind a protective screen.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed handed down the ruling today, June 15, 2017, after the prosecution team's application for witness protection.

The ruling means the 14 witnesses will testify behind a screen provided by the court.

Despite the screen, the witnesses will still be visible to the judge, defendant and the legal teams of the prosecution and defence.

Only members of the public will be disallowed from getting a look at the witnesses.

Justice Mohammed ruled that the application was in order with the Section 232 (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 that allows the use of such screen by prosecution witnesses in cases involving economic and financial crimes.

Dasuki's counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), had objected to the application, saying it was an abuse of court process, but the judge sided with the prosecution.

Speaking on the ruling, he said, "Section 232 (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act permits the use of screen in a charge of economic and financial crimes; and money laundering is part of the charges instituted against the defendant.

"Therefore, the request is in order, especially when it has not been shown that it will prejudice against the defendant."

Dasuki, the National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, is on trial on seven counts of theft of the Federal Government’s sophisticated weapons, illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.