Nigeria: Military Bars Journalists From Mutiny Trial

 

 

Military authorities at the Army Headquarters Garrison, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, yesterday barred journalists from covering the ongoing trial of 59 soldiers facing mutiny charges. Journalists were called out of the court shortly after prosecution counsel Roselyn Agwai started questioning the second witness, Captain Isa Saleh.

The Court which was opened to the media on Wednesday heard testimony from the commanding officer of the 111 Special Forces battalion, Lt. Col. Timothy Opurum and had adjourned to continue yesterday.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, before journalists were asked to leave the court, Captain Saleh had told the court that he is the second in command of the 111 Special Forces battalion camped in Mulai primary school Maiduguiri, Borno State.

Captain Saleh, who corroborated the testimony of Lt. Col Opurum, said he was informed of the order to advance on Delwa on the 3rd of August.

 

He also gave details of the number of soldiers in the battalion, described the specialised training received by the troops of the Battalion, and how the troops refused to go on the offensive despite being ordered to do so.

While being led in testimony by the prosecution counsel, the spokesman of the Army headquarters garrison Colonel Aliyu Yusuf called journalists outside the court room and appealed that information from the witnesses may jeopardise ongoing counter terrorism operations.

Colonel Yusuf added that some sensitive information when published may jeopardise national security.

He said the Army will invite journalists to cover inauguration of court martial and sentencing in the future.

 

Source: Daily Trust