Justice Abdulmalik directs DSS to investigate activist over alleged social media disclosure of classified trial evidence
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Department of State Services to investigate allegations that controversial social media personality VeryDarkMan leaked sensitive evidence from an ongoing coup plot trial.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the directive on Tuesday following submissions by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who informed the court that video evidence tendered in the case had appeared on the activist’s social media platforms. Oyedepo further noted that the individual in question was present in the courtroom gallery during proceedings.
The judge instructed the DSS to conduct a thorough investigation whilst the trial continues, emphasising that any breach of the court’s witness protection order must be addressed. She stressed that if evidence of contravention exists on social media, the perpetrator should face legal consequences.
All six defendants, through their legal representatives, denied any involvement in the alleged leak. Several defence counsel requested that the prosecution file a formal application with supporting affidavits to enable proper response.
The court proceeded to hear bail applications from the defendants. Whilst defence lawyers sought lenient bail terms, the prosecution urged the court to dismiss these requests entirely.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to June 25 and 30 for the first three defendants to present their defence in the trial-within-trial, scheduled to determine the voluntariness of their statements. The remaining defendants will follow on July 1 and 2, with a ruling on bail applications set for July 20.
Earlier in proceedings, the prosecution sought to admit statements made by the defendants to investigators. The fourth prosecution witness, identified only as “DDD”, testified that all statements were made voluntarily without coercion or harassment. He refuted defence claims of torture and asserted that the defendants’ feet were not chained during interviews, noting that chain sounds would have been audible on video recordings played in court.
The witness acknowledged that no lawyers, family members, Legal Aid Council officials or Justices of the Peace were present during the interviews but maintained that none of the defendants had requested such representation.
After concluding cross-examination, Oyedepo announced the closure of the prosecution’s case in the trial-within-trial, having called four witnesses.
The six defendants face prosecution over alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The case continues to attract significant public attention as it navigates complex legal territory concerning both national security and defendants’ rights.
