A Lagos Magistrate, Mrs. I.O. Omotosho, on Thursday turned down request by a defence lawyer to bar reporters from covering an alleged illegal firearms case.
The lawyer, Rotimi Seriki, at the arraignment of one of the sons of late businessman, Chief Abdul-Rasak Sanusi, Sulaiman Sanusi, had prayed the court for an order barring reporters from covering the matter.
Seriki alleged that journalists have been publishing untrue and embarrassing stories against his client.
“As I am talking, journalists are inside the court and even cameramen are outside waiting to video the proceedings. The last time when the court did not sit, cameramen came to the court to video the court room,” he told the court.
His request was however denied by Magistrate Omotosho who stated that the court is a public place, adding that she cannot stop reporters from covering court proceedings.
She also told the counsel to make a formal application before her to that effect.
Sanusi is standing trial on a one- count charge of illegal possession of firearms under Section 27(a) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, as amended.
Prosecuting Inspector Stephen Molo told the court that the defendant committed the offence on October 16, last year.
He told the court that the alleged offence was committed at 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 possession of the defendant.
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