Journalists from the Correspondents’ Chapel representing various media organisations were denied entry into the tribunal to cover proceedings and judgment of the court.
Journalists arrived at the junction to the court as early as 7:40 am while others came at different times, but they were ordered to go back despite the tribunal session scheduled to commence at 9.00 am.
The security agents at the Independent National Electoral Commission junction said that they were directed to allow only AIT, Channels and NTA access into the tribunal saying “No newspaper journalist is allowed to go in.”
The security agents who chorused when our correspondent got to the junction leading to the court, said, “You are from the PUNCH and you are not among those accredited to enter.
“They told us to allow only AIT, NTA and Channels to go in and you are from The PUNCH, you are not among them, so you can’t go in from here. No newspaper journalist is allowed to go in. So, just go back because we can’t allow you to go in.”
Another security personnel said, “You’re from the press, we can’t allow you to go. That’s what they told us.”
When our correspondent enquired, it was revealed that the Tribunal Secretary, Hafsat Kings, had given the list of only journalists from the three media organizations which she accredited to go into the court to cover the proceedings.
She only later allowed the Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, into the tribunal.
Other journalists left the place in anger because they were denied entry despite several pleas to the security agents.
Meanwhile, our correspondent observed that there is a heavy presence of security personnel on Ahmadu Bello Way and Yandoka Road where the High Court Complex is situated.
Heavily armed and angry-looking security agents comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, and the Nigerian Army were seen at strategic locations.
All roads and streets leading to the two major roads were cordoned off.
On Ahmadu Bello Way which is the main entrance to the tribunal, the road was blocked at the Fire Service junction, NUJ junction, Jaiz Bank junction, State Low-Cost and INEC junctions.
Business activities were grounded as almost all shops and businesses situated around the area were under lock and key.
The PUNCH reports that the candidate of All Progressives Congress in the Bauchi state governorship election, Sadique Abubakar, a retired Chief of Air Staff, had petitioned the tribunal challenging the declaration of Governor Bala Mohammed, as the winner of the election for a second term, by the INEC
