Magistrate refuses oral application to bar journalists in court proceedings

An Igbosere Magistrate Court has refused to grant an oral application to bar Journalists from covering the on-going trial of Sulaiman Sanusi, the son of the Late businessman and Lagosian, Chief Abdul-Rasak Sanusi, who was arraigned before Magistrate I.O. Omotosho over an alleged illegal possession of firearms.

The defendant’s ‎counsel Rotimi Seriki, told the Magistrate to stop journalists from covering the matter as the stories written by the journalists about the proceedings are most untrue.

The counsel further stated that each time the court adjourned the matter, journalists will publish it, adding that it is becoming embarrassing for the defendant.

“Right now as I am talking, journalists are inside the court and even camera men are outside waiting to video. The last time when the court didn’t sit camera men came to the court room to video the court room,” he said. Seriki, also stated that the defendant has been receiving threats.

But Magistrate Omotosho, said “the court is a public place and that she can not stop journalists from covering court proceedings”.

She asked Seriki to formerly file an application in that regard before her.

The defendant, 48 is facing one count charge bordering on unlawful possession of fire arms preferred against him by the police.

The police prosecutor, ‎inspector Steven Molo, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on October 16, 2014.

He said that the incident took place at No. 2, Akanni Doherty Street off Oba Akran road, Ikeja.

Molo said that an unregistered Dane gun whose length is 46 inches and overall length of 64 inches was found in the possession of the defendant which he could not give a satisfactory explanation of how it got to his possession.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is punishable under ‎section 27 (a) law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as amended.

Earlier, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. He was granted bail while the matter was adjourned to October 29, for trial.