A federal capital territory high court sitting in Wuse zone
2 has directed that the two children of Osinachi Nwachukwu, the gospel singer
who was alleged to have died of domestic assault, will testify wearing
blindfolds.
The gospel singer, who passed away on April 8, was initially
thought to have died of throat cancer.
But associates claimed it may be connected to an assault by
her husband, Peter, who was later arrested.
The federal government had filed a 23-count charge against Peter.
At the court session on Tuesday, Aderonke Imana, prosecution
counsel, told the court that Osinachi’s twin sister and her children will be
called to testify against the defendant.
She prayed the court to protect the children by blindfolding
them and putting them in shield while they testify.
She further prayed the court to direct non-parties in the
suit to vacate the court when the children are to testify.
“The first
application is predicated on the provisions of sections 156 and 158 of the Child Rights Act, we hereby apply that
all the other persons in this court that do not fall under the category under
the law should vacate this courtroom in the interest of the children who are
our witnesses for today,” she said.
“Our second application is predicated on section 209 of the
Evidence Act and section 169 of the Child Rights Act. We are applying that the
persons who are under 18 should give unsworn evidence.
“Our third oral application is based on section 2(1) of the
Child Rights Act. We hereby apply that the child witnesses be brought into the
court with a blindfold and be shielded with a screen, in the cause of giving
witness.”
N.K. Nwosu-Iheme, the presiding judge, granted the
application sought by the prosecution.
“Having considered
the application, I hereby ordered that parties to the case, parents or
guardians should observe the testimony. Therefore, all other members of the
public and the press shall be outside,” the judge ruled.
“The children shall be blindfolded and shielded while giving
their testimony.”
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