Court warns defence against delays in trial of four suspects in DSS officer’s murder

The Federal High Court in Abuja warned defence lawyers against delaying the trial of four suspects accused of kidnapping and killing Ekpeyong Asuquo Owoh, an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS). Justice Joyce Abdulmalik allowed the prosecution to shield its witnesses’ identities, ordering that a witness be referred to as “AB” because disclosing identities would not serve the interests of justice in a terrorism case. She warned that anyone who violates Section 232(5) of the ACJA faces a one-year jail term. The trial was adjourned to 28 October after defence lawyers sought more time to review the case file and video evidence.