The President of a Nigerian court-martial has issued stern warnings to defence lawyers, threatening phone confiscation and disciplinary action over unauthorised leaks of classified details from ongoing secret coup trial proceedings.
The presiding officer expressed grave concern that sensitive information from the closed-door military tribunal was finding its way into public discourse, compromising national security and undermining the integrity of the judicial process.
Defence counsel were explicitly warned that mobile devices could be seized at the tribunal’s discretion if suspicions of recording or transmitting proceedings persist. The court-martial president emphasised that all participants are bound by strict confidentiality protocols governing military trials of this nature.
Legal representatives were further cautioned that continued breaches could attract contempt proceedings, professional sanctions through the Nigerian Bar Association, and potential criminal charges under military law.
The warning comes amid heightened public interest in the trial, which involves serious allegations against military personnel. The court-martial has maintained that transparency must be balanced against operational security requirements and the protection of classified intelligence.
Observers note the tension between public accountability and national security imperatives in military justice proceedings, particularly in cases involving allegations against armed forces personnel.
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