Court orders DSS probe after VeryDarkMan is linked to alleged leak of evidence in coup plot trial

Social media activist VeryDarkMan has been drawn into the ongoing trial of six men accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered an investigation into the alleged leak of sensitive court materials.

The development emerged on Monday during proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where the Federal Government sought to tender statements allegedly made by the defendants during interrogation as part of its evidence.

Lead prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, argued that the statements were voluntarily made and not obtained under duress.

A prosecution witness, identified only as “DDD,” told the court that none of the defendants were tortured, intimidated, or forced to make confessional statements during questioning.

The witness also denied allegations that the defendants were interrogated while their legs were chained.

“It is not true. The feet of the defendants were not chained. They walked into the interview room by themselves,” the witness told the court.

According to him, if the defendants had indeed been chained, the sounds would have been evident in the video recordings already played before the court.

He further stated that none of the defendants requested the presence of legal representatives, family members, officials of the Legal Aid Council, or a Justice of the Peace during the interview sessions.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyers, however, the witness admitted that the statements were obtained without lawyers or relatives being present, but maintained that the defendants acted voluntarily.

Following the conclusion of testimony from four witnesses, the prosecution formally closed its case in the trial-within-trial.

The proceedings took a dramatic turn when Oyedepo informed the court that some evidence tendered during the trial had allegedly surfaced on social media.

The prosecutor specifically alleged that videos from the proceedings had been posted online by VeryDarkMan, who was reportedly present in court.

He urged the court to direct security agencies to investigate how the materials were leaked.

In response, Justice Abdulmalik ordered the Department of State Services to investigate the alleged leak.

The judge ruled that if any of the materials shared online violated existing witness protection orders, those responsible should be identified and prosecuted.

She further directed that the investigation should proceed alongside the substantive trial.

Defence lawyers denied involvement in leaking any court materials and challenged the prosecution to file a formal application supported by affidavit evidence if it wished to pursue the allegation.

The court also heard bail applications filed by the defendants. While defence counsel urged the court to grant bail on lenient terms, the prosecution opposed the requests.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to June 25 and June 30 for the first three defendants to open their defence in the trial-within-trial.

The remaining three defendants are scheduled to continue their defence on July 1 and July 2, while July 20 has been fixed for ruling on the bail applications.

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