Fresh controversy has emerged in the ongoing secret military trial of alleged coup plotters in Abuja after the court martial adjourned proceedings to May 18 and ordered lawyers representing the defendants to appear in wigs and gowns or risk being denied audience before the tribunal.
The directive followed an earlier confrontation between tribunal officials and members of the defence team over courtroom dress requirements inside the military facility where the trial is being conducted under tight security.
A source close to the proceedings told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the tribunal made its position clear during the latest sitting.
“Case adjourned to May 18. Lawyers ordered by the court martial to wear robes otherwise they will not be given audience,” the source said.
The order is expected to deepen concerns surrounding the controversial proceedings, which are being conducted away from public scrutiny inside a restricted military facility in Abuja.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that tension erupted during proceedings on Tuesday after civilian lawyers representing the alleged coup plotters refused a directive ordering them to appear in wigs and gowns before defending their clients.
Sources familiar with the matter said the lawyers challenged the tribunal’s authority to impose the dress requirement, arguing that such conditions were arbitrary and raised broader constitutional concerns, especially in a trial involving civilians.
According to the sources, the disagreement created a tense atmosphere inside the courtroom as tribunal officials allegedly threatened to eject the lawyers if they failed to comply with the directive.
Despite the warning, the defence lawyers reportedly maintained their position and questioned the legality of denying legal representatives audience based on dress requirements.
The latest adjournment and directive have further fuelled criticism over the secrecy surrounding the trial and the conditions under which the proceedings are being conducted.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja earlier played a video-recorded statement of Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir, the sixth defendant and one of the civilians standing trial in the alleged coup plot case.
The recording, tendered before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, showed the cleric admitting that he received money for prayers connected to the alleged operation while insisting he warned those involved that the plan would fail.
In the video, Abdulkadir said he had known the alleged ringleader, identified as Colonel Alhassan Maaji, for less than a year and was introduced through an intermediary known as Sanda, who allegedly sought spiritual assistance for the planned coup.
