Court bars journalists from covering Nnamdi Kanu case, announces secret trial

Journalists have been barred from covering Nnamdi Kanu trial

Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has prohibited some members of the public from witnessing and covering the trial of terrorism cases before the Court.

The development is part of the new practice direction that will guide the hearing of terrorism cases before the court

Justice Tsoho said the guidelines are in tandem with constitutional provision as enshrined in Section 254 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

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The cases of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),Nnamdi Kanu, bureau de change operators indicted over sponsorship of terrorism, and Boko Haram suspects are currently before the court.

Under the new arrangement, the court said media coverage of proceedings is strictly prohibited, “save as may be directed by the court.”

“A person who contravenes an order or direction made under these practice directions shall be deemed to have committed an offence contrary to section 34(5) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 (as amended),” the direction states.

It further reads that “only the judges; other essential court staff and security agencies involved in the particular case and their vehicles shall have access to the court premises