The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, granted an application by the Federal Government (FG) to protect the identity of witnesses expected to testify against a suspected terrorist collaborator, Tukur Mamu.
Mamu is facing trial in connection with the terror attack on an Abuja-bound train in March 2022. The train had departed Kaduna state before the attack.
The attack led to the death of at least eight persons with scores abducted for ransom.
The Kaduna-based cleric and publisher who was arraigned in March 2023, is facing 10 counts bordering on terrorism financing, among others as he was accused of receiving ransom payments in the sum of $120,000 on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorists from families of hostages of the train attack.
Mamu was also accused of exchanging voice-note communications in relation to acts of terrorism with one Baba Adamu who is a Boko Haram spokesperson.
He will also be accused of dealing in terrorist funds in the sum of $300,000, which were allegedly found in his possession.
Mamu, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The counsel for the Attorney General of the Federation, D.E. Kaswe, on same Wednesday in court took an ex parte application before Justice Inyang Ekwo for an order to protect the identity of the prosecution witnesses.
In the motion, the Federal Government requested for an order of the court to shield the physical identity of the prosecution witnesses who should be allowed to wear facial masks or screen whenever they are testifying.
The prosecution also requested the court to direct the use of pseudonym by prosecution witnesses and deleting the real names and addresses of prosecution witnesses throughout the proceedings of this case.
Furthermore, the government lawyer prayed for an order “excluding persons other than parties and their legal representatives at the hearing of the above-named charge except for members of the accredited press.”
In a ruling, Justice Ekwo granted the motion as requested.
The case was subsequently adjourned till Friday, July 21, 2023 for the commencement of trial.
