By Vivian Okejeme
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday ordered the remand of six suspects allegedly involved in a coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The defendants were arraigned by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and waging war against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The offenses are reportedly punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The suspects include a retired Major General, a retired Naval Captain, a serving Police Inspector, and three others.
Notably, the first defendant, Major General Mohammad Ibrahim Gana (Rtd), was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair.
The prosecution also noted that a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, is currently at large.
When the matter was called, the Federal Government expressed its readiness to proceed.
However, the arraignment faced a brief delay after counsel to the third defendant informed the court that his client was indisposed, while the lawyer for the sixth defendant noted that his client required an interpreter for Arabic and Hausa.
Upon resuming at 2:18 p.m. with an interpreter present, all six defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Following the pleas, the prosecution requested that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody and sought an accelerated hearing.
While the defense did not oppose the remand, counsel for the first defendant indicated an intention to file a bail application.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request for an accelerated hearing and ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody, ensuring they have access to their legal representatives.
The trial was adjourned until April 27, 2026.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state to overpower the President.”
The government further claimed the accused had prior knowledge of a treasonable plot involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to notify the President or security agencies.
The charges also include allegations of conspiring to commit acts aimed at destabilizing Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were accused of attending meetings linked to the plot in furtherance of a threatening political ideology.
Terrorism Financing: Several defendants were accused of handling illicit funds.
Specifically, Bukar Goni allegedly retained N50 million, Abdulkadir Sani N2 million, and Zekeri Umoru N18.8 million (including N10 million in cash outside the banking system). Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim was also accused of receiving N10 million suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.
