Judge orders journalists out of courtroom in alleged coup trail

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has barred journalists from attending the trial of six individuals accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The decision was enforced shortly before proceedings began on Monday. Journalists who had arrived early and secured seats in the courtroom were asked to leave by court officials, who said they were acting on the judge’s directive.

Despite protests from the journalists, who argued that the case was of significant public interest and that no formal order excluding the media had been issued, they were compelled to vacate the courtroom.

The doors were subsequently locked.

Earlier, a court official had announced that only individuals with seats would be allowed to remain, instructing others to leave to avoid overcrowding.

However, even journalists who were already seated were later removed.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), arrived at the court around 10:35 a.m. and proceeded to Court 6, where the trial is ongoing.

This is not the first time Justice Abdulmalik has excluded members of the press from proceedings. On January 23, she ordered a reporter from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) out of the courtroom during hearings involving factions of the Peoples Democratic Party after the journalist identified himself and stated he had no seat.

The Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney General, is prosecuting six defendants over an alleged coup plot.

Those facing trial include Gana; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a serving police inspector; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani.

They were arraigned on a 13-count charge before the court and remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). The court had earlier fixed April 27 for the commencement of an accelerated hearing.

Meanwhile, Timipre Sylva, who was mentioned in the charge, is reportedly still at large.