A witness refused on Thursday to testify against Boko Haram members because of the trial procedure.
He was expected to speak in the trial of a university don, Dr. Nazeef Yunus, and other alleged members of the insurgents' cell in Kogi State, Alhaji Salami Abdullahi and Umar Musa.
This time, although the Federal Government wanted the trial to be held in "secret", the suspects' lawyers opposed the application by the authorities.
Thus, the trial was ordered to be conducted publicly.
"The general public can only hear the voices of the witnesses but will not see their faces," Justice of Abuja Federal High Court said.
However, the witness also requested to come out masked, which was opposed by the defence. Despite the ruling that the identities and names of the witnesses shall be kept secret, and that the witnesses will be mounted at the stand, the scared man refused to testify.
As a result of the incident, the case was adjourned to May 6.
He was expected to speak in the trial of a university don, Dr. Nazeef Yunus, and other alleged members of the insurgents' cell in Kogi State, Alhaji Salami Abdullahi and Umar Musa.
This time, although the Federal Government wanted the trial to be held in "secret", the suspects' lawyers opposed the application by the authorities.
Thus, the trial was ordered to be conducted publicly.
"The general public can only hear the voices of the witnesses but will not see their faces," Justice of Abuja Federal High Court said.
However, the witness also requested to come out masked, which was opposed by the defence. Despite the ruling that the identities and names of the witnesses shall be kept secret, and that the witnesses will be mounted at the stand, the scared man refused to testify.
As a result of the incident, the case was adjourned to May 6.
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