Abuja court Bars Journalists From Covering Testimonies of late Osinachi’s Children

The  trial of Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late Gospel Singer, Osinachi, who is facing culpable homicide charge, resumed on Friday at the Federal High Court Abuja, with journalists barred from covering the testimonies of the late gospel singer’s children.

Persecondnews reports that As early as 9:am Journalists who arrived the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting Wuse Zone 2, Abuja were barred by Security operatives from covering the court sitting

Persecondnews recalls that the court had on June 22 granted the three oral applications made by Aderonke Imana, the prosecution counsel.

The applicant urged the court that parties in the matter, the court officials, correctional centre officials and the witness’ guardians not to allow them in courtroom when the witnesses would give their testimonies.

The second application Imana brought was premised on Section 160 of the Child Rights Act and Section 209 of the Evidence Act.

The application urged the court to allow the other two witnesses, who are the deceased’s children, being minors to give unsworn evidence as Pw3 and Pw4.

The final application brought was pursuant to Section 1, 2 (1) and 157 of the Child Rights Act and he urged the court to allow the witnesses to be brought to court blind folded or their faces covered

Ruling on the application on June, 22,  Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme granted the three prayers after which the defendant’s counsel, Mr I.A Aliyu did not object to the applications

Nwosu-Iheme, therefore, held that the applications were in the best interest of the children and must be considered during proceedings.

Persecondnews also recalls that on June 3, the judge ordered that the defendant to 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.

The deceased”s mother and two sisters had on June 21 and 22  testified as, Pw1 and Pw2 respectively.

The defendant is being prosecuted by the police for alleged battering of his wife and other abuses which they alleged led to her.