By Vivian Okejeme
Justice Joyce Abdul Malik of the Federal High Court Abuja, Wednesday, remanded six suspected coup plotters against President Bola Tinubu’s government in the Department of State Service (DSS) custody.
The suspects who were arraigned by the the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on a 13-count charge where prosecution claimed the defendants were waging a war against Nigeria and committing acts bordering on treason and terrorism.
The offence is said to be contrary and punishable under Section 37(2) of the criminal code.
The suspects are a retired Major General, a retired Naval Captain, a serving Police Inspector and three others.
Major General Mohammad Ibrahim Gana was brought inside the court on wheelchair, while former governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva is said to be at large.
When the matter was called, FG expressed readiness and sought permission for the charges to be read to the defendants.
However, counsel to the third defendant informed the court that his client was indisposed, while counsel to the sixth defendant stated that his client understood only Arabic and Hausa.
This prompted the court to stand down the matter to allow for the provision of an interpreter.
At resumed proceedings at about 2:18 p.m., all six defendants entered their pleas, denying the allegations and pleading not guilty to the 13-count charge.
The prosecution at this juncture requested that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody and also urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case.
While most defence counsel did not oppose the request, the lawyer to the first defendant indicated plans to file a bail application.
In his ruling, the trial judge granted accelerated hearing, ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody with access to their legal representatives.
The matter was adjourned till April 27, for the commencement of trial.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, an offence punishable under the Criminal Code.
The government further alleged that the accused had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others, but failed to notify the authorities.
Court documents stated that the defendants, despite knowing of the alleged plan, did not provide the information “with all reasonable despatch” to the President or any peace officer.
They were also accused of failing to take reasonable steps to prevent the alleged offence.
Beyond treason, prosecutors brought terrorism-related charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, alleging that the defendants conspired to commit acts capable of destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were specifically accused of attending meetings linked to the alleged plot in furtherance of a political ideology that could threaten national stability.
The prosecution also accused some of the defendants of handling funds suspected to be linked to terrorism financing.
According to the charge, Bukar Goni allegedly retained ₦50 million believed to be proceeds of terrorism financing, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly retained ₦2 million from a similar source.
Zekeri Umoru was accused of accepting ₦10 million cash outside the formal banking system and retaining an additional ₦8.8 million linked to the same allegation.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim was also accused of receiving N10million said to be proceeds of terrorism financing.
