Journalists were reportedly prevented from covering the ongoing court proceedings involving six individuals accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu, raising fresh concerns about transparency in the trial.
The case is being heard at the Federal High Court in Abuja before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where the defendants are facing multiple charges linked to alleged attempts to overthrow the government.
The Federal Government, represented by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, brought a 13-count charge against the accused, which includes allegations of treason, terrorism-related offences, failure to disclose security information, and money laundering tied to terrorism financing.
Those standing trial include retired military officers and security personnel such as Major General Ibrahim Gana (retd), Captain Erasmus Victor (retd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. One of the accused, former Minister of Petroleum Timipre Sylva, is reportedly at large.
All defendants present in court have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following their arraignment, the prosecution requested that they be remanded in Department of State Services custody and that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis.
The court granted the request for accelerated hearing and adjourned the matter to April 27 for continuation of proceedings, while also ordering that the defendants remain in DSS custody.
Concerns have since emerged after members of the press were barred from observing the proceedings, despite the case not being officially declared a secret trial, prompting questions about openness in the judicial process.
