Isaac Samuel
Journalists were, on Monday, barred from covering the bail proceedings of six defendants accused of plotting a coup against the government of Bola Tinubu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Court officials, backed by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), ordered reporters to vacate the courtroom shortly before the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, took her seat.
An unidentified court official told journalists that the directive came from the judge, while a DSS operative said an explanation would be provided later.
The reporters, who had arrived early to cover the proceedings, complied and exited the courtroom without resistance.
Correspondents from various media organisations had been at the court premises as early as 8:00 a.m. but were asked to leave at about 9:07 a.m., just ahead of the commencement of proceedings.
The development comes amid heightened public interest in the trial of the six defendants, who were arraigned last Wednesday by the Federal Government over an alleged failed coup.
Those standing trial include Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general; Erasmus Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; and Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa.
Others are Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based Islamic cleric.
They are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information and money laundering, to which they have all pleaded not guilty.
Following their arraignment, Justice Abdulmalik granted an accelerated hearing and fixed April 27 for the hearing of their bail applications. She also ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the DSS.
Meanwhile, a former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, was mentioned in seven of the 13 counts but was not listed as a defendant, as he is reportedly still at large.
Earlier reports indicated that no fewer than 40 suspects, including serving and retired military personnel as well as civilians, were arrested in connection with the alleged plot.
Of the number, 36 serving officers were arraigned before a court-martial sitting at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.
Monday’s development is not the first time journalists have been denied access to proceedings in Justice Abdulmalik’s courtroom. Court officials have, on several occasions, ordered reporters and other observers to vacate during sittings, often citing limited space.
In some instances, even accredited journalists who properly identified themselves were still asked to leave.
The Federal High Court in Abuja operates multiple courtrooms handling both criminal and civil matters, but access to proceedings, correspondents say, varies significantly, with some sessions more restricted than others.
The exclusion of journalists from Monday’s sitting has raised fresh concerns about transparency in the handling of high-profile criminal trials, particularly those involving allegations of treason and national security.
