A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered journalists out of the courtroom during the bail hearing of six men accused of plotting a coup against the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Sources said the reporters who arrived early on Monday morning were told to leave shortly before proceedings began, as court officials backed by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) enforced the restriction inside the courtroom of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
One court official told journalists the directive came from the judge, though no formal explanation was immediately provided. DSS personnel on the ground also declined to give details at the time.
The journalists complied and exited the courtroom around 9:07 a.m., after waiting since about 8:00 a.m. for the sitting to begin.
The case itself has drawn widespread attention following the arraignment of the six defendants last week on a 13-count charge that includes allegations of treason, terrorism, failure to report a crime, and money laundering. All of them pleaded not guilty.
Those standing trial include a retired major-general, a retired naval captain, a police inspector, a civilian worker at the Presidential Villa, an electrician, and a cleric based in Zaria.
Court documents also mention former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva in several of the counts, although he is not among those currently facing trial.
Justice Abdulmalik had earlier ordered an accelerated hearing and scheduled Monday for the defendants’ bail applications, while directing that they remain in DSS custody.
The restriction of media access is not new in this courtroom. Journalists have, on multiple occasions, been asked to leave during proceedings, often with officials citing limited space. Even accredited reporters have sometimes been affected.
However, Monday’s decision has again raised concerns about transparency in a case already under intense public scrutiny, especially given its national security implications.
For now, the bail hearing continues behind closed doors, with no indication yet on when journalists will be allowed back into the courtroom.
