Court Bars Journalists From Bail Hearing Of Alleged Coup Plotters

Journalists were on Monday, April 27, 2026, barred from covering the bail proceedings of six defendants accused of plotting a coup against the government of President Bola Tinubu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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Court officials, supported by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), ordered reporters to vacate the courtroom shortly before the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, commenced sitting.

A court official, who declined to give his name, told journalists that the directive emanated from the judge.

According to The PidomNigeria, an operative of the DSS also informed reporters that an explanation would be provided later, though none was immediately given.

The journalists complied with the order and exited the courtroom around 9:07 a.m., despite having arrived as early as 8:00 a.m. to cover the proceedings.

The development comes amid heightened public interest in the case involving six defendants arraigned last Wednesday by the Federal Government over an alleged failed coup.

Those standing trial include 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, a Zaria-based Islamic cleric.
The defendants are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering. They all pleaded not guilty.

Following their arraignment, Justice Abdulmalik ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and fixed April 27 for the determination of their bail applications.

She also directed that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the DSS pending the hearing.

In a related development, a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, was mentioned in seven of the 13 counts but has not been listed as a defendant.

Sources indicated that Sylva is currently at large.

Earlier reports revealed that no fewer than 40 suspects, including serving and retired military officers as well as civilians, were arrested in connection with the alleged plot.

Out of the number, 36 serving officers were arraigned before a court-martial sitting at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

Naija News understands that Monday’s incident is not the first time journalists have been denied access to proceedings in Justice Abdulmalik’s courtroom. Court officials have, on several occasions, asked reporters and other observers to leave during sittings, often citing limited space as justification.

In some instances, even accredited correspondents were turned back despite proper identification. The Federal High Court in Abuja has 13 courtrooms handling both civil and criminal cases, but access to proceedings has remained inconsistent.