File photo: Kanu arrives premises of Federal High Court, Abuja

Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High Court, Abuja has said that she would not review her judgment on the issue of protecting the identity of the witnesses as long as they were security operatives in the on-going trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The judge said she will not vary her order on protection of security operatives called as witnesses as they would be allowed to either wear a mask or testify behind a screen.

“Security operatives need to be protected, not because of this case, but because of the future; so, as long as the witnesses are security personnel, they will be taken behind a screen,” Nyako said.

The Judge was reacting to an application by counsel to Kanu, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, asking the court to review its stand on protecting the identity of witnesses in the case.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ejiofor said that part of the reason he filed the application was on the ground that six out of the initial 11-count charge against the defendant, were struck out.

The prosecutor, Mr Shuiabu Labaran, said that he was yet to file his reply to the processes filed by Ejiofor.

Hearing in the matter was adjourned till April 6.