Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted an accelerated hearing in the trial of six suspects accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Counsel for the first defendant, Mohammed Ilayepo, indicated that his client’s bail application was due for a hearing. Justice Abdulmalik, however, ruled that the trial would commence before any bail applications were considered.
Counsel for the second, third, and sixth defendants, Paul Erokoro, A. I. Yeru, and N. S. Diri, respectively, expressed reservations about their readiness to proceed, citing the short notice given to them and the complex nature of the case. Justice Abdulmalik then directed all counsel to agree on dates suitable for a speedy trial.
Meanwhile, at the accelerated hearing yesterday, Justice Abdulmalik sent journalists out from the court where the trial of the six men accused, among others, of plotting to take over the government. A couple of journalists had arrived at the court very early and secured seats on the last row in the court, waiting for the commencement of the court’s sitting. A few minutes before 9 a.m., a court official announced that those unable to secure a seat should vacate the courtroom, as the judge would not allow anyone to stand when the court begins sitting.
While those without seats, including lawyers, were making their way out of the courtroom, another court official and security personnel attached to the court approached journalists and asked them to stand up and leave immediately. When asked why, they said Justice Abdulmalik had instructed them not to allow journalists into her court.
When confronted that the trial of the alleged coup plotters was of public importance and that there was no court order requiring proceedings to be conducted without media presence, the officials insisted they were acting on the judge’s instructions. After the journalists were successfully evicted, the security official locked the door and the judge commenced sitting.
During proceedings, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution had witnesses available, subject to the convenience of the court. The Federal Government had last Wednesday arraigned the suspects. The government had filed a 13-count charge against the suspects. Also listed in the charge, but said to be at large, was a former Minister of Petroleum, Timiprye Sylva.
The charge, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), accused the defendants of offences ranging from alleged treason and terrorism to failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing. However, the barring of journalists from covering the trial of the six alleged coup plotters, has raised concerns about the transparency in handling the matter.
