WorldStage– A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted witness protection in a coup trial to a serving officer who will be shielded from public view due to security risks.
The court’s decision aims to ensure the safety of the witness during the proceedings.
The Court approved the Department of State Services’ (DSS) request to shield the identities of witnesses in a high-stakes trial, allowing them to testify behind a screen.
This security measure ensures the safety of witnesses, including serving officers, due to risks associated with terrorism-related and security-based cases.
The court permitted that witnesses’ names, ages, and states of origin be shielded from the public.
With the measure, witnesses are authorized to testify behind a screen or mask, rather than being openly visible in the courtroom.
The ruling follows the “Practice Directions (On Trial of Terrorism Cases) 2022,” which allows for protective measures including video links or restricted access to the courtroom to protect witness identity.
While the request was notably made in the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu in 2025 and early 2026, similar measures are implemented in cases involving severe security risks, such as coup trials.This decision aimed at securing testimony without endangering the lives of personnel involved.
