The federal high court of Nigeria says there will be no more
media coverage for cases bordering on terrorism.
This was contained in the FHC’s new practice directions
issued on Thursday by Catherine Christopher, the court’s chief information
officer.
According to the new guidelines, terrorism proceedings will
be conducted in secret, except when the chief judge of the court grants
permission for media coverage.
The document also stated that terrorism proceedings will
hold “at any place to be designated by the chief judge and in the case of the
Abuja judicial division, the venue, for the time being, shall be the premises
of the Code of Conduct Tribunal”.
“The chief judge of
the court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, in exercise of his constitutional
powers as enshrined in Section 254 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and all other powers enabling him, hereby made the
following practice directions,” the document reads.
“These practice directions seek to provide measures that
will ensure the security and safety of parties, personnel of law enforcement
agencies and the judiciary as well as members of the general public while ensuring
expeditious and fair trial of persons suspected of having committed acts of
terrorism.
“Proceedings of offences of terrorism, subject to the
provisions of Section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015
and section 34 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 (as amended), shall be
held in camera or as may be ordered by the court.
“The coverage of
proceedings under these practice directions 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 perimeters of the court sitting over a terrorism trial
shall be secured for the period of the trial for safety of litigants and court
officials.
“Distance and size of perimeters to be secured for the trial
shall be determined based on the recommendation of security agencies on a
case-by-case basis.
“No person shall be
allowed within the secured perimeters save the approved court officials,
parties and a number of pre-registered legal practitioners on either side,
witnesses and any other person as may be directed by the judge or the most
senior judge in the given circumstances.”
The practice directions take effect immediately.
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