The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday granted the request of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The request sought to shield the identities of witnesses scheduled to testify in the trial of five alleged Al-Shabab terrorists.
The suspects are accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left over 40 worshippers dead and more than 100 others injured.
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Justice Emeka Nwite, delivering the ruling, held that protecting the witnesses was necessary given the sensitive nature of terrorism cases.
“The court is persuaded by the arguments of counsel for the applicant. Witnesses in terrorism cases face grave risks and must be protected to ensure justice is served,” Justice Nwite ruled.
The application, moved by DSS lawyer Dr. C. S. Eze, emphasized the security concerns surrounding the witnesses.
“This is a matter of national security. If the identities of these witnesses are revealed, their lives will be endangered, and the integrity of this trial could be compromised,” Dr. Eze argued.
The five defendants Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar were arraigned earlier on a nine-count terrorism charge.
They are accused of being members of the Al-Shabab group with links to a cell in Kogi State.
Although the defendants pleaded not guilty, the court stressed the seriousness of the charges.
“The attack of June 5 remains one of the darkest days in our national history.
“The court will not allow fear to silence those who must testify,” Justice Nwite added.
The case is expected to continue with the protected witnesses giving evidence in subsequent hearings.
