The Federal High Court in Lagos has barred journalists and the public from proceedings in the trial of 17 alleged members of Boko Haram arrested in the state.
The court made the order after a request by the Lagos State Attorney-General, Ade Ipaye who cited public safety and the need to protect witnesses in the case as reasons for the trial to be conducted in “camera”.
The alleged Boko haram members were arraigned before the court by the federal government on a seven count charge of conspiracy to commit terrorism, illegal possession of fire arms and for being members of a proscribed organization.
Presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba also granted an application made by the Lagos Attorney General to allow prosecution witnesses who are security operatives, to use code names and to wear masks and disguises while testifying in the trial.
The Attorney General had also pleaded the court to stop journalists from both the print and electronic media from covering and reporting the proceedings of the trial in any form.
He cited Section 203 and 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act(CPA) and section 36 (4) a&b of the Constitution of Nigeria to back up the application.
The defence counsel DKW Dada and O.E Nwagbara did not object to the application.
In his judgment, Justice Buba granted the application, stating that the CPA and the 1999 Constitution empowered the court to conduct in camera, proceedings that can breach public safety and national security.
Officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) had on two occasions barred journalists from covering the trial.
A DSS official, who spoke with the journalists said that they were under instruction to prevent media coverage of the proceedings because the issue borders on national security.
The suspects were said to have been arrested at various locations in Lagos on March 21.
Items allegedly recovered from them included three packets of explosive substances, construction pipes, 15 detonators and 11 AK-47 riffle magazines loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition each.
The items also included 200 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one AK-47 rifle magazine with three rounds of live ammunition each, two suit case containing explosives and one water container containing explosive.
Others were one bag containing canisters, one HP laptop, five Nokia handsets and one red Volkswagen Golf car with number, SMK 427 AZ LAGOS.
The defendants are Ali Mohammed Modu, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Ali, Ibrahim Bukar, Mohammed A. Mohammed, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala and Kadri Mohammed.
Others are Mustapha Hassan, Abba Duguni, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, Musa Bala, Bala Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdula Zuladaini.
There were arrested at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase I Housing Estate, Lagos; 24, Oyegbemi Street, Ijora Oloye, Apapa, and at a bungalow House (unnumbered) on Oyegbemi, Street, Behind Celestial Church, Ijora Oloye, Apapa.
The offences for which the accused are charged, is said to contravene the provisions of sections 13(2) and 17(b) of the terrorism Act 2013, and 1, 8, 27 (1) (a)(b) of the Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation, 2004, and punishable under section 8 of the same act.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charge.