Justice Obiora Egwuata of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday again adjourned the matter involving twelve agitators of Yoruba Nation till Wednesday August 4, 2021.
The State Security Service, S.S.S., in deference to the ruling made during the last sitting brought eight out of the twelve detained activists. The S.S.S. did not give reasons on why only eight suspects were arraigned this Monday.
There were discrepancies in the names and identities of the suspects who appeared before Justice Egwuata on Monday.
The suspects have been detained since July 1, 2021 when they were arrested in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The high profile trial has continued to expose the weaknesses and contradictions within the Nigerian democracy.
Operatives of S.S.S. were again ruthless and violent towards journalists who came to Federal High Court 9. “The divide and conquer” tactics of S.S.S. was on display. They allowed some favoured journalists into the court, while critical media professionals were prevented from witnessing the trial. Authorities in Nigeria are becoming more intolerant of free press. The suspects were brought in two vans.
Justice Egwuata had ordered increased access to the detained activists at the last sitting on Friday. The lawyers told journalists that they were only allowed access to four of the detainees.
The State Security Service operatives on ground did not hide their determination to humiliate journalists. They seized a phone belonging to a reporter. They rejected all pleas to release the phone.
There was a female suspect amongst the total of eight suspects brought to court 9 today.