The Federal High Court today barred journalists from covering the bail proceedings of six defendants accused of plotting a coup against the government of President Bola Tinubu
Court officials, backed by operatives of the Department of State Services, directed reporters to vacate the courtroom shortly before the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, took her seat.
A court official, who did not disclose his name, told journalists that the directive came from the judge, while an SSS operative said he would offer an explanation later, Punch reports.
The journalists, however, complied and exited the courtroom shortly after.
The development comes amid heightened public interest in the trial of the six defendants, who were arraigned last Wednesday by the FG over an alleged failed coup.
Those standing trial are 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.
The defendants are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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 still at large.
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