The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday restricted journalists from covering the bail hearing of six defendants accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, raising renewed concerns about transparency in the trial.
Court officials, supported by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), asked reporters to leave the courtroom shortly before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik began proceedings. Journalists, who had arrived early in the morning, complied and were escorted out around 9:07 a.m. An official said the order came from the judge, while DSS operatives declined to give immediate clarification.
The case involves six defendants arraigned last week on a 13-count charge including treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering. All the accused pleaded not guilty. Justice Abdulmalik had earlier ordered an accelerated hearing and scheduled the bail application for April 27, while remanding the defendants in DSS custody.
Those on trial include retired military officers, a police inspector, a Presidential Villa electrician, and a cleric. Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva was mentioned in several counts but is not standing trial, reportedly being at large.
Security agencies had earlier arrested about 40 suspects in connection with the alleged plot, with 36 serving military officers facing a separate court-martial in Abuja. The military trial is also expected to continue behind closed doors.
This is not the first time media access has been restricted in the courtroom, as journalists have previously been excluded due to limited space. The latest restriction has intensified concerns about openness in sensitive national security trials in Nigeria.