By Ghazali Ibrahim
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday barred journalists from covering the bail proceedings of six individuals accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Reports indicate that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) directed journalists to vacate the courtroom shortly before the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, arrived to commence proceedings. The directive was said to have originated from the court.
Journalists present complied with the instruction and exited the courtroom.
The development comes amid growing public interest in the case involving the six defendants, who were arraigned last Wednesday by the Federal Government over an alleged failed coup attempt.
The accused persons 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. Also facing trial are Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, both Islamic clerics based in Zaria.
