ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an appraisal of the types of protective measures available for witnesses and considers the circumstances that have necessitated adopting these measures. It classifies the protective mechanisms as physical protective measures and psychological protective measures. It notes that physical protective measures may be further categorized as operational measures and procedural measures. The chapter highlights the influences of the criminal justice and human rights perspectives on how these measures are adopted in protecting witnesses. The chapter highlights arguments which centre on the implication of adopting procedural measures in the interest of the witnesses and society vis-à-vis the fair hearing rights of a defendant. It includes the jurisprudence of international courts in balancing these conflicting rights and how these have been resolved in practice. This serves as a basis for normative proposals for resolving legal issues which have evolved in Nigeria regarding these conflicting interests.
