A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate allegations that video evidence from the ongoing trial of six men accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu was shared on social media by activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order on Tuesday after the prosecution informed the court that some video exhibits tendered during the proceedings had allegedly appeared online.
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that he received information that the videos were posted on social media by VeryDarkMan, who was also present in court during the hearing. He urged the court to order an investigation into how the restricted materials became publicly available.
Justice Abdulmalik directed the DSS to investigate the alleged leak while the trial continues. She also ordered the agency to identify and prosecute anyone found to have violated the court's witness protection order through the publication of the videos.
Lawyers representing the six defendants denied any involvement in the alleged leak. Some of the defence counsel argued that the prosecution should file a formal application supported by an affidavit before seeking such relief.
The court then proceeded to hear the defendants' bail applications. Defence lawyers asked the court to grant bail on liberal terms, while the prosecution opposed the request.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the trial-within-trial to June 25 and June 30 for the first three defendants to present their defence. The remaining three defendants will present theirs on July 1 and July 2. Ruling on the bail applications was fixed for July 20.
Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecution asked the court to admit statements made by the defendants during DSS investigations.
The fourth prosecution witness, identified only as "DDD," told the court that the statements were made voluntarily and denied allegations that the defendants were tortured or coerced. He also rejected claims that their feet were chained during questioning, stating that they walked into the interview room without restraints.
The witness said none of the defendants requested the presence of a lawyer, family member, Legal Aid Council official, or Justice of the Peace before making their statements.
Under cross-examination, the witness confirmed that no legal representatives or family members were present during the interviews but maintained that the defendants were not subjected to torture or intimidation.
Following the testimony, the prosecution closed its case in the trial-within-trial after calling four witnesses.
The six defendants are facing trial over allegations that they conspired to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
