Court Bars Journalists from Coup Plotters' Trial Coverage

On Monday, a Federal High Court in Abuja, led by Justice Joyc Abdulmalik, prohibited journalists from covering the bail proceedings of six defendants accused of attempting to orchestrate a coup against President Bola Tinubu. The defendants, including retired military personnel and a cleric, face 13 counts, including treason and terrorism, and have pleaded not guilty.

The court ordered the media to vacate the courtroom shortly after the trial commenced, citing limited space as justification. This restriction comes amid heightened public interest in the case, which has seen at least 40 suspects arrested, including 36 military officers.

The defendants are scheduled for an accelerated hearing on April 27, with their bail applications to be considered. This incident raises concerns about transparency in high-profile criminal trials, particularly those involving allegations of treason and national security.