The Presiding Justice of the Presidential Election Petition, Haruna Tsamani says the restriction on people accessing the court with their phones is still in effect
While addressing the court on Tuesday, the Presiding Justice said the decision is based on “advice from security agencies”, without providing any further details
He said there was “the need to protect ourselves and the image of the profession” and expressed concern over the commotion that arose earlier in the morning when lawyers and other court users were forced to submit their phones before accessing the courtroom
A similar incident occurred on Saturday when the courtroom was locked, leading to protests by lawyers who refused to yield their phones
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The decision of the court, if upheld, will restrict the work of journalists, most of whom use their phones and laptops to send breaking news and updates on the court’s proceedings real-time to their offices
On Monday, the court had ruled against live broadcast of the proceedings, maintaining that it had fulfilled the constitutional requirement of “trial in public” by allowing journalists into the courtroom to cover and report the proceedings
The directive to restrict phones is seen by many as running contrary to the ruling of the court
(EDITOR: TIENABESO BIBIYE)
