A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday
delivered judgment in the case of 17 men
standing trial over alleged participation in acts
of terrorism and membership of the Islamic
fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram.
Justice Ibrahim Buba delivered the judgment in
camera as journalists, litigants and lawyers in
other matters were told to vacate the
courtroom while the judgment was being
delivered.
The judge, who had earlier announced that the
judgment would be given at 12pm, sought the
views of the lawyers if it was within the law to
give the judgment in the open court before the
public.
The Director of the Public Prosecution, Mrs.
Idowu Alakija, had responded by saying that
since the trial was conducted in camera for
security reasons, judgment should also be given
in the same manner.
But Buba, who said even judges learn everyday,
insisted that he would like to know what the
law stipulated about giving judgment in camera
and how his colleagues in Abuja normally
handled such cases.
While saying he would like to do a short
research on the subject, Buba rose at about
11.30am with a promise to return by 12pm.
At the resumed hearing at 12pm, the judge
again asked the parties to address him on the
legality of giving judgment in camera.
The Attorney General of Lagos State and
Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye (SAN),
said if the trial was conducted in secret, the
judgment should also be delivered in secret as
the judgment was viewed as an inherent part of
the proceeding.
The legal team of the defence aligned with the
same position.
Buba subsequently ordered everyone, except
the parties and the security operatives, to
vacate the courtroom to allow him give his
judgment.
In a bid to cover the proceeding, journalists had
approached the Deputy Chief Registrar and the
Administrative Head of the Court, Mr. Bello
Okandeji, to complain.
Okandeji then led journalists to the court but
the security men at the door to the courtroom
told the DCR that they had specific instructions
not to allow anyone into the courtroom at the
moment.
The 17 alleged terrorists were arraigned before
Buba on 18 counts centring on conspiracy to
commit terrorism, illegal possession of
firearms, and being members of a proscribed
organisation.
The accused persons’ names were given as Ali
Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman,
Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala and
Kadiri Mohammed.
Others were named as Mustapha Daura, Abba
Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya and Musa
Audu and Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi
Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.
Though all the 17 were arraigned and they
pleaded not guilty to the crime, only four were
brought to court on Tuesday before Buba for
judgment.


source: www.punchng.com/news/court-gives-secret-judgment-on-boko-haram-suspects/

Whose business is this for christ sake?. abeg did anybody help me see my Blackberry charger ?

I hope it's not a strategy to free these men if found guilty.