The Federal Government on Tuesday requested that the trial
of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume which statrted last year should henceforth be conducted in secret to
preclude members of the public from witnessing proceedings.
Ndume, a serving Senator from Borno State, was arraigned before Justice Kolawole at the Federal High Court, in Abuja, by the Department of State Services[ DSS] on terrorism charges
He was accused of sponsoring the Boko Haram sect, and
failing to provide information about the sect’s operations.
He said the intended secret trial was intended as a protective
measure for witnesses in the case, whose security could be endangered if their
identities were not shielded.
“We urge the court to exclude members of the public from the
trial. We also want the court to protect the identities of the remaining witnesses
that will give evidence in this case.
“The fundamental rights of the accused have not been
violated because his counsel is represented and has not in any way been
excluded from the matter. It is in the interest of national security and public
safety that the motion should be granted,” Orji said.
Lawyer to the accused, I. Amaza argued that the
prosecution’s request would violate his client’s right to fair hearing. He
urged the court to refuse the request and continue with the trial.
After listening to both lawyers, Justice Kolawole adjourned
to October 24 for ruling.
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