The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered an investigation into an alleged leaked video which has stirred controversy in the trial of five suspects charged with being part of last year’s failed plot to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
A retired major general, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, and a retired navy captain, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, are among the six defendants charged in the case. They stand accused of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering over the alleged failed coup.
Judge Joyce Abdulmalik made the order following claims by prosecution lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who is the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), that the video recording of one of the defendant's statements had appeared on social media, contrary to an earlier court order.
He said he watched the video on the page of social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). The video, which shows a defendant making a statement, has attracted more than 6,000 views on social media.
The defence lawyers, however, took turns to deny knowledge of how the video leaked into the social media space. They also urged the court to investigate members of the media who have been covering the proceedings.
While not opposing the probe, the fifth defendant, M.A Ibrahim, expressed doubts about the prospect of such investigation. Another defendant, Sanusi Musa, outrightly objected to any investigation, wondering who the suspects might be.
Ruling on the issue, Judge Abdulmalik affirmed the court's power to direct the protection of witnesses. She noted that Section 232(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 provides for the protection of vulnerable witnesses and prescribes consequences for any breach of witness protection measures or court orders made under that section.
The SSS has been ordered to investigate any evidence on social media that may have contravened the court's earlier orders and bring any culprit before the court.
The six defendants charged in the case include the six men accused of being part of a conspiracy to topple President Tinubu's government. They were accused of being part of a conspiracy to topple President Tinubu's government.
The trial began in January this year, with the prosecution calling four witnesses. The fourth prosecution witness, an army officer identified by the codename AAA for security reasons, has yet to be discharged.
“We tendered the video recording and served it on the defence. I know I served my colleagues,” the prosecution lawyer said.
The court has scheduled to continue the trial on July 1.