[JUST IN] Justice Served Behind Closed Doors: Abba Kyari Trial Resumes In Private

• The trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, and three others has resumed in a Federal High Court in Abuja.

• Proceedings are being conducted behind closed doors to protect the identities of intelligence officers who will be giving evidence.

• The trial continues amidst sensitivity concerns with no clear indication when the next hearing will take place

EKOHOTBLOG reports that the trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, and three others, resumed at a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday.

However, this time around, the proceedings were conducted behind closed doors. Previously, the trial was open to the public without any restrictions regarding who could be present.

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The presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, issued an order for journalists, lawyers involved in other cases, as well as other litigants present in the courtroom, to exit before the commencement of the proceedings. The order was made in response to an application by Sunday Joseph, the lead prosecuting lawyer from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Joseph requested that lawyers in other cases, litigants, visitors, and journalists be excluded from witnessing the proceedings to safeguard the identities of upcoming witnesses listed to give evidence in the trial. After granting Joseph’s application, Justice Nwite temporarily suspended the proceedings to allow non-actors in the case to leave the courtroom.

Sunday Joseph explained that it was necessary to protect the witnesses, who are top intelligence officers, as there is a doctrine of state privilege in the interest of national security. He also mentioned that members of the Inspector-General (IG) of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) who are loyal to Abba Kyari had been attending court sessions, and their identities were not known. Thus, protecting the witnesses was crucial.

Joseph acknowledged the allegations of witch-hunting but emphasized that the need to protect the current set of witnesses was due to the sensitive nature of their identities, which could not be exposed to the public.

Although some lawyers protested the decision to exclude them, Justice Nwite appealed for their understanding. He assured them that their cases would be heard later and requested their patience.

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Despite the protests, the trial continued with further proceedings taking place in private. It remains unclear when the next hearing will take place, but the case is undoubtedly one to watch.

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