The Federal Government has again filed a fresh application at the Federal High Court in Abuja asking for the shielding of its witnesses who are to testify against the Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. This is second time, the Federal Government is coming with an application seeking for secret trial for Dasuki who is facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms, money laundry and breach of trust.
In the fresh motion argued Thursday by the prosecution counsel, Government is asking the court to permit its witnesses to give evidence behind a screen to be provided by the court. The counsel submitted that the request was predicated on the fact that majority of the witnesses had served under Dasuki and that if they are not shielded from public view that it may jeopardise the trial.
But Dasuki through his counsel vehemently opposed the application for secret trial on the grounds that it will violate his right for fair hearing. He asked the court to dismiss the fresh application for lack of merit as it dismissed a similar one earlier filed by the federal government on April 19.
After taking argument from both parties, the presiding judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola fixed September 13, for ruling on the request and continuation of the trial.
