On Wednesday, a federal government witness, referred to as BBB, submitted a certified true copy of the death certificate of Ahmed Gulak, who was reportedly murdered in 2012 by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for purportedly violating a sit-at-home order.
Mr. Gulak served as the special adviser on political affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
During the ongoing trial of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, BBB, the second prosecution witness, appeared before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He was accompanied by the government’s attorney, Adegboyega Awomolo.
At the start of the session, Mr. Awomolo informed the court that while the agenda was set for cross-examination of the witness, he had a question to pose.
“We request permission to ask a question, my lord,” he stated.
Mr. Kanu’s counsel, Kanu Agabi, did not object to this request, leading the judge to grant permission to proceed.
Mr. Awomolo then inquired of BBB about a previous statement regarding a radio broadcast made by Mr. Kanu, which called for a sit-at-home that allegedly resulted in Mr. Gulak’s death. The witness affirmed this assertion.
BBB indicated that he had participated in investigations related to Mr. Gulak’s death and presented a police-issued certificate dated July 18, 2021, declaring it a certified true copy of Mr. Gulak’s medical report.
When the document was shown to Mr. Agabi, he raised no objections, prompting the judge to accept it into evidence and mark it as exhibit PWJ.
Subsequently, Mr. Awomolo requested the court’s permission for the witness to read the document aloud in open court.
(NAN)
