Alleged coup: Suspects plead not guilty, remanded in DSS custody

Six defendants on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism and coup plotting before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The defendants were arraigned in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, with the prosecution led by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

The PUNCH reports that the defendants, including Maj Gen Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (retd.), Capt (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (retd.), Insp Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani are facing charges of conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism and attempting to “levy war” against the Nigerian state.

A former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, is also listed in the charge as being at large.

Count one of the charges read, “That you, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana – (RTD), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor – (RTD), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (AP776373), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, Abdulkadir Sani, Timipre Sylva (still at large) and others, sometime in the year 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004.”

They were further accused of failing to disclose intelligence relating to the alleged plot and not taking steps to prevent its execution despite having knowledge of plans involving other alleged conspirators.

Proceedings commenced at about 1:46 pm, with the AGF informing the court that the charge was ready and applying for it to be read to the defendants.

However, the arraignment was briefly stalled after the third defendant informed the court that his counsel was indisposed and absent.

Despite this, the trial judge ruled that the defendant could take his plea without legal representation.

Another delay followed when counsel for the sixth defendant informed the court that his client neither speaks nor understands English, but communicates only in Arabic and Hausa, necessitating the provision of an interpreter.

The court stood down the matter and later resumed at about 2:18pm.

Upon resumption, the 13-count charge was read, and all six defendants pleaded not guilty.

During the plea, one of the defendants admitted recognising a sum mentioned in the charge but denied any link to terrorism, while another described the money as a gift and also denied involvement in any terrorist act.

Following the pleas, the prosecution applied for the defendants to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services pending trial and urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case.

Counsel for the first defendant, Mohammed Ndayako, applied for bail and sought a short adjournment to enable the filing of the application.

He also urged the court to ensure that defence lawyers were granted adequate access to their clients in custody to prepare their case.

Responding, the prosecution assured the court that the defence would not be denied access to the defendants, noting that established procedures exist for such interactions.

Counsel for the second defendant, Chibuike Okah, holding brief for Henry Chibor, did not oppose the request for an accelerated hearing and access to the defendants, while two lawyers volunteered to represent the third defendant in the absence of his counsel.

Counsel for the fourth defendant, C.D. Okafor, did not oppose the application but raised concerns over previous difficulties in accessing his client, which he said had hindered preparation for a bail application.

Counsel for the fifth and sixth defendants, Mohammed Ibrahim and Sanusi Musa, also did not oppose the applications for remand and accelerated hearing.

Addressing the concerns, the AGF said, “What was not said was inherent in what was said by defence counsel. It has never been brought to my notice that they couldn’t meet with their clients,” adding that access to detainees follows laid-down procedures.

He urged counsel to notify relevant authorities ahead of time to facilitate meetings with their clients.

The prosecution subsequently proposed April 27, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.

In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered an accelerated hearing of the case, directed that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody, and mandated that they be granted access to their lawyers.

“The case is adjourned to 27th April 2026, for commencement of trial and hearing of bail application,” the judge held.

Meanwhile, wives of some of the defendants were also in court, begging for their husbands to be released, adding that they had not seen their husbands since their arrest six months ago.

Wife of the fourth defendant, Zekeri Umoru, in a video seen by our correspondent, pleaded for her husband’s release, stating that they had four children, and she could not raise them alone.

“I have four children. My children have been asking me where their father is. This is six months old. Nigeria, help me save my husband. I am begging you, I’m on my knees.

“The children are asking me where their father is. Help me save my husband. I can’t raise the children by myself. We are suffering. Make una help me save my husband,” she cried.