Court Bars Journalists from Trial of Alleged Coup Plotters

On April 17, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyc Abdulmalik, ordered that journalists be barred from the trial of six defendants accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. The defendants, including Major General Moham Ibrahim Gana and Captain NN Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, face 13 counts of criminal charges, including conspiracy to wage war against the state.

The court instructed that the trial should proceed without media presence, despite the public interest in the case. The defendants, who pleaded not guilty, are set to have their trial commence on April 22, 2024.

Justice Abdulmalik had previously ordered the trial to be expedited and denied bail applications for the defendants, who are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services. The charges against them include allegations of treason and money laundering linked to former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva.