BREAKING: Court bars journalists from covering suspected coup plotters’ trial
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday imposed restrictions on journalists, prohibiting them from covering the bail proceedings of six defendants charged with conspiring to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Shortly before the court session began, operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) instructed reporters to leave the courtroom. This action reportedly followed an order from the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
As of the time of this report, journalists complied with the directive and exited the courthouse. The restriction follows an increase in public interest surrounding the trial of the six individuals, who were arraigned last Wednesday on allegations related to a failed coup.
The defendants 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. Two Islamic clerics based in Zaria, Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, are also among the accused.
