A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday barred journalists from covering the bail proceedings of six defendants accused of plotting a coup against the government of Bola Tinubu.
Reports indicate that operatives of the Department of State Services directed journalists to vacate the courtroom shortly before the presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, entered.
The directive was said to have originated from the judge, effectively preventing media coverage of the proceedings.
At the time of filing this report, the journalists complied and exited the courtroom.
This is coming after heightened public interest in the trial of the six defendants, who were arraigned last Wednesday by the FG over an alleged failed coup.
Those standing trial are Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general; Erasmus Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; and Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa.
Others are Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, Zaria-based Islamic clerics.
