Judge bars journalists from trial of alleged coup plotters
A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped journalists from covering the trial of six people accused of plotting a coup against the Nigerian government.Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered reporters to leave the courtroom on Monday as proceedings were about to begin in the high profile case. Court officials and security operatives informed journalists that they were acting on the instructions of the judge and that no media personnel would be allowed to remain inside.Some lawyers and other observers who could not find seats were also asked to leave the courtroom before the session continued. When the judge entered and noticed a journalist still present, she demanded to know his identity and then directed him to leave immediately because he did not have a seat.Reporters protested that the case was of public interest and that no formal order […]
