LAGOS—The trial of the four people, accused of stealing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s Direct Data Capturing, DDC, machines was, yesterday, shrouded in secrecy by an Ikeja Chief Magistrate, Magistrate O. Komolafe, who barred journalists from covering the proceedings.

The Magistrate had adjourned till yesterday, for the commencement of the trial of the accused persons, Mrs. Sumonu Modupe, Suleiman Isa, Lawal Lateef, and Bamidele Joshua, who were arraigned behind close doors on a four-count charge of conspiracy and stealing on December 23, 2010.

There had been heated arguments between journalists and court officials when they were arraigned last December. Tapes belonging to some electronic media were seized by a policewoman attached to the court.

As the trial resumed, yesterday, it was expected that the presiding Magistrate will allow journalists, who besieged the court to cover the proceedings, contrary to what happened when they were arraigned in the Magistrate chambers.
However, journalists were disappointed as they were barred by the court from covering the proceedings.

Journalists, who were in high mood to cover the proceedings, moment they were brought before the open court, have to heed the court’s directive which forbids them from covering the matter.

The four accused persons were arraigned on the four_count of conspiracy and steal, the offences they pleaded not guilty. The court subsequently admitted them to bail.

By abdulwahab abdulah
The offences preferred against them were said to be contrary to and punishable under Sections 390 (9), 427 and 516 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap C.17, Vo. II, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

Though, it was gathered that one of the suspects, Suleiman Isa, is 17_year old, which informed the decision of the Magistrate from allowing the coverage.

This led to serious squabble and the eventual seizure of a camera belonging to Superscreen Television, which was later released.

It will be recalled that the four accused persons were arrested on Dec. 9, last year in connection with the disappearance of the 20 DDC machines at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).