Nigeria, April 27 -- Journalists were on Monday ejected from the courtroom at the Federal High Court in Abuja as it prepared to hear bail applications for six defendants accused of plotting against President Bola Tinubu.

A court official and a State Security Service (SSS) operative directed reporters to vacate the courtroom shortly before the trial judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, took her seat, signalling what appears to be the authorities' preference for a secret trial.

The court official who did not mention his name told journalists the instruction came from the judge , while the SSS operative said he would explain later.

The reporters, however, left immediately after the judge was seated.

Reporters had arrived at the court as early as 8:0...