Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a federal high court sitting in Abuja has reserved the ruling of the court in a motion filed by the federal government, seeking a modification of the earlier partial secret trial the court granted for the prosecution of Dr. Mohammed Yunus, a lecturer at the Kogi State University and two other accused persons for alleged Boko Haram activities.
The trial judge had on April 3, 2014 ordered the partial protection of witnesses that are to be presented by the prosecution counsel.
During yesterday’s proceedings, the prosecution, Mr. A. Ogunsina, sought a change of the earlier order of the court for a partial protection of the witnesses to a complete protection of the identities of the witnesses.
While arguing on the application, counsel to the 1st accused person, Mr. Hassan Liman (SAN), objected the application by Mr. Ogunsina.
The accused counsel argued, “The court has no power under Section 6 Sub-section 6 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended to set aside its earlier decision after final arguments in the matter had been taken”.
He submitted that the court would “Operate serious injustice to the accused persons if the application for a total protection of the witnesses by the prosecution is granted”.
