A key witness in the trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, before the Federal High Court, Abuja has been involved in an accident and suffered multiple fractures and injuries.

Lead prosecution lawyer in Dasuki’s trial for alleged illegal arms possession and money laundering, Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), made this public at the resumed hearing in the case yesterday.

The prosecution said the witnesses, who are mostly serving security personnel, would be exposed to danger if their identities were unduly exposed to the public

“The need for this application is now more serious in view of the fact that one of our principal witnesses, as we speak, was involved in a serious accident, with multiple fractures and injuries. In as much as we are not alluding that the defence has anything to do with the accident, it further heightens the need to have this witnesses protected,” Okpeseiyi said while praying the court to grant permission to shield its remaining witnesses in the case.

“Because of the peculiar nature of loyalty in the military, some mistake loyalty to the state for loyalty to persons. By virtue of the office hitherto held by the defendant, the witnesses were once his staff. We believe that any person, who is giving evident in court anywhere in the world, is the witness of the court, because he/she is to help the court reach just decision.

“In this regard, we say the issue of witness protection is what the court can order suo motu (on its own). We have brought this application for this seemingly harmless order to protect these witnesses. This application is intended to protect these witnesses, their families and career. This issue of denial of fair hearing does not arise because the application is not seeking to preclude the defence from seeing and cross-examining the witnesses.” Defence lawyer Joseph Daudu (SAN) opposed the application and urged the court to refuse it. He argued that since the court had refused a similar application before now, the only option opened to the prosecution was to appeal the court’s earlier ruling, dismissing the application.

Daudu said: “It is crystal clear that the defendant (Dasuki)is being punished by the powers that be for the offences committed long before now. We leave them to the Almighty God for his ultimate judgment.”

ustice Adeniyi Ademola adjourned to September 13 for ruling and continuation of trial.