A Federal Capital Territory High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Friday barred journalists from witnessing the testimony of the late singer Osinachi Nwachukwu’s children.
Osinachi’s husband Peter Nwachukwu is accused of subjecting her to years of domestic abuse which allegedly led to her death.
The move to bar journalists was as a result of the court granting the three oral applications made by Aderonke Imana, the prosecution counsel, on June 22.
The counsel filed the applications during the court hearing in the alleged culpable homicide case against Mr Nwachukwu.
One of the applications prayed the court to allow the other two witnesses, who are the deceased children, being minors to give unsworn evidence.
The final application brought was pursuant to section 1, 2 (1) and 157 of the Child Rights Act urged the court to allow the witnesses to be brought to the court blind folded and for their faces to be shielded.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme had then granted the three prayers after which the defendant’s counsel I.A Aliyu did not object to the applications.
Nwosu-Iheme therefore held that the applications were in the best interest of the children which is paramount and must be considered during proceeding, for the children to be shielded while giving their testimonies.
The court on June 3 ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after he pleaded not guilty to the alleged homicide charge filed against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
He is standing trial on 23 counts bordering on domestic violence and homicide.
