ABUJA, NIGERIA – Officials at a Federal High Court barred journalists from covering the bail proceedings of six defendants accused of plotting a coup against the government of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, on Monday.
Court officials, backed by operatives of Nigeria’s Department of State Services, directed reporters to vacate the courtroom shortly before the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, took her seat. Okay News reports that a court official told journalists the directive came from the judge, while a security operative said he would offer an explanation later.
Correspondents from various media houses arrived at the court by 8:00 a.m. WAT but complied with the order and exited the courtroom at 9:07 a.m. WAT. The Federal Government of Nigeria arraigned the defendants last Wednesday on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering.
Those standing trial are a retired major-general, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; a retired navy captain, Erasmus Victor; a police inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim; an electrician at the Presidential Villa, Zekeri Umoru; a Zaria-based Islamic cleric, Abdulkadir Sani; and Bukar Goni. A former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, was mentioned in seven of the counts but was not listed as a defendant, as he is still at large.
The trial stems from the arrest of at least 40 suspects, including serving and retired military personnel as well as civilians, in connection with the alleged plot. Of that number, 36 serving officers were arraigned before a court-martial sitting at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.
Court officials have previously ordered journalists and other observers to leave during sittings in this specific courtroom, citing limited space as justification. In some instances, accredited reporters who identified themselves were asked to vacate the premises.
