The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday granted an application by the federal government to shield the identities of witnesses billed to testify against the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice James Omotosho granted the application after the federal government’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, moved an ex parte motion to the effect.

Moving the motion, Mr Awomolo told the court that the identities of the witnesses needed to be protected for security reasons.

The lawyer informed the court that the charges against Mr Kanu bordered on terrorism, hence the need to protect the witnesses.

He requested that the names of the witnesses be shielded from the public for general security reasons.

Kanu Agabi, who appeared for Mr Kanu, did not object to the application.

Mr Agabi, however, requested similar cooperation from the federal government when the bail application for Mr Kanu would be argued.

The judge subsequently granted Mr Awomolo’s plea.

Meanwhile, the first prosecution witness, identified as PWAAA, commenced testifying as the government formally opened its case against Mr Kanu.

(NAN)