A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred journalists from covering the trial of six men accused of plotting to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu .
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding over Court 6, ordered court officials to evict all journalists from the courtroom moments before proceedings commenced on Monday, April 27 , despite the trial being of significant public interest .
Justice Abdulmalik had also, on Thursday, ordered the remand of the six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications . The case has been scheduled for accelerated hearing .
‘The Judge Asked Us to Do It’: Journalists Ejected
Journalists who had arrived at the court as early as 8:00 a.m. and secured seats were initially told by a court official that the judge would not permit any persons to stand during the session .
Shortly after lawyers and others without seats vacated the courtroom, another official accompanied by a security personnel approached the reporters and ordered them to leave immediately .
When asked about the reason for the eviction, the officials responded, “The judge gave us instructions not to allow journalists inside her court” . When it was pointed out that the trial was a matter of public importance and there was no court order stating that proceedings should be conducted without media presence, the officials insisted they were merely complying with the judge’s directive.
Shortly after the journalists were successfully evicted, a security official locked the courtroom door, after which the judge commenced sitting .
Details of the Allegations
The defendants include Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani .
They are accused of committing acts, including “conspiring with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code .
They face a 13-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit treason, terrorism, money laundering, and failure to disclose security intelligence . The six pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned on April 17, 2026 .
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