The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an investigation into an alleged leaked video linked to the ongoing trial of six suspects accused of participating in a failed plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The directive was issued by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik following concerns raised by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, who alleged that a video recording tendered as evidence in court had surfaced on social media.
Oyedepo told the court that he viewed the video on the social media page of Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), describing the development as a serious national security concern.
The prosecution argued that the circulation of the video could undermine witness protection measures and potentially violate an earlier court order restricting the dissemination of evidence.
Defence lawyers denied any involvement in the alleged leak and expressed support for an independent investigation, while some called for scrutiny of all parties who may have had access to the video, including court officials and media personnel.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Abdulmalik cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act relating to the protection of vulnerable witnesses and ordered the State Security Service to investigate any social media publication that may have breached the court’s directives.
The judge stated that anyone found responsible would face separate legal proceedings, while the main trial would continue independently.
The defendants include retired military officers and civilians facing charges bordering on treason, terrorism, money laundering, and failure to disclose information in connection with the alleged coup plot.
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