4th December, 2013
Akin Kuponiyi
A federal high court sitting in Lagos, south west Nigeria has ordered that the trial of suspected Boko Haram members be conducted in secrecy.
Journalists have now been barred from covering the proceedings.
The court further ordered that all the witnesses who will give evidence in the case should wear masks and bear coded names
The order was sequel to an application by the Attorney General of Lagos state, Mr Ade Ipaye.
Ipaye said the trial borders on public safety and national security.
The seventeen suspected Boko Haram members were charged with illegal possession of fire arms, act of terrorism and being members of an illegal organisation.
The presiding Judge Justice Ibrahim Buba, granted all the requests.
The case has been adjourned for trial, at a date not announced.