Terrorism Trial: FG Wants Journalists Barred.
Terrorism Trial: FG Wants Journalists Barred.
Nnamdi Felix / Abuja
The Federal Government on Tuesday applied to a Federal High Court siting in Abuja before which Mr. Mustapha Umar, the suspected bomber of SOJ Plaza in Kaduna state occupied by ThisDay, The Moment and The Sun newspapers, is standing trial to bar journalists from covering the trial.
The application was made by Mr. Simon Labaran, the lawyer leading the prosecution team at the trial.
The arraignment Mr. Umar was rescheduled for today following the unavailability of legal representation for the suspected terrorist last Tuesday when he was first brought to court.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the one count charge bordering on terrorism.
After taking his plea, Mr. Labaran moved the application seeking to bar journalist from covering the proceedings pursuant to section 31(3) of the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011, which according the Federal Government lawyer, is to protect the interest of public safety as well as the safety of the witnesses who will be called upon to testify against the suspected terrorist in the course of his trial.
Mr. Umar's lawyers, Mr. Felix Umai and Mohammed Umar, both of Manga Chambers in Abuja, did not oppose the application. However, the court presided by Justice Adeniyi Ademola expressed reservations over shutting out the public from the proceedings noting that the public is interested in the outcome of the matter and have a right to know what took place in the course of the trial.
The court advised the Federal Government lawyer to bring a formal application for the request even as it suggested some ways by which witnesses identities can be protected without having to shut out the journalists whose duty is to inform the public.
Mr. Mustapha Umar who is charged on a one count of terrorism related act had told the court last Tuesday that he was arrested and detained since April, 2012, and that he was not allowed any visitor, including family members and requested for a lawyer to be produced for his defence by the Federal Government which brought him to court.
However, he had legal representation today and it was not clear how or who provided the lawyers to defend him.
He was alleged to have driven a white Honda Academy car with registration number AL 306 MKA with improvised explosives devices into the premises of SOJ plaza and detonated same.
Over ten persons were reportedly killed as a result of the attack.
The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, subsequently adjourned further proceedings to 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th of March.
He ordered the Prison authorities to ensure that the suspected terrorist's lawyers have unfettered access to him to enable them prepare for his defence.
The court further remanded the suspected terrorist to Kuje Prison.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
Nnamdi Felix / Abuja
The Federal Government on Tuesday applied to a Federal High Court siting in Abuja before which Mr. Mustapha Umar, the suspected bomber of SOJ Plaza in Kaduna state occupied by ThisDay, The Moment and The Sun newspapers, is standing trial to bar journalists from covering the trial.
The application was made by Mr. Simon Labaran, the lawyer leading the prosecution team at the trial.
The arraignment Mr. Umar was rescheduled for today following the unavailability of legal representation for the suspected terrorist last Tuesday when he was first brought to court.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the one count charge bordering on terrorism.
After taking his plea, Mr. Labaran moved the application seeking to bar journalist from covering the proceedings pursuant to section 31(3) of the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011, which according the Federal Government lawyer, is to protect the interest of public safety as well as the safety of the witnesses who will be called upon to testify against the suspected terrorist in the course of his trial.
Mr. Umar's lawyers, Mr. Felix Umai and Mohammed Umar, both of Manga Chambers in Abuja, did not oppose the application. However, the court presided by Justice Adeniyi Ademola expressed reservations over shutting out the public from the proceedings noting that the public is interested in the outcome of the matter and have a right to know what took place in the course of the trial.
The court advised the Federal Government lawyer to bring a formal application for the request even as it suggested some ways by which witnesses identities can be protected without having to shut out the journalists whose duty is to inform the public.
Mr. Mustapha Umar who is charged on a one count of terrorism related act had told the court last Tuesday that he was arrested and detained since April, 2012, and that he was not allowed any visitor, including family members and requested for a lawyer to be produced for his defence by the Federal Government which brought him to court.
However, he had legal representation today and it was not clear how or who provided the lawyers to defend him.
He was alleged to have driven a white Honda Academy car with registration number AL 306 MKA with improvised explosives devices into the premises of SOJ plaza and detonated same.
Over ten persons were reportedly killed as a result of the attack.
The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, subsequently adjourned further proceedings to 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th of March.
He ordered the Prison authorities to ensure that the suspected terrorist's lawyers have unfettered access to him to enable them prepare for his defence.
The court further remanded the suspected terrorist to Kuje Prison.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
Do Nigerians not have the right to know how a trial as important as this is being conducted in an open court? I think Nigerians need to know. Let's know your thought on this, share your comments.
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