The Federal Government has arraigned several suspects accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a Federal High Court in Abuja ordering an accelerated hearing of the case.
The defendants were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where they pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and related offences.
Leading the prosecution, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services and grant an expedited trial.
The court proceedings were briefly delayed to allow for an interpreter for one of the defendants, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sanni, who understands only Hausa and Arabic, according to his counsel.
Among those present in court was retired Major General Ibrahim Gana, who appeared in a wheelchair.
However, a former Minister of Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, was listed among the આરોપed but remains at large.
Other defendants included retired naval captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Following their not-guilty pleas, defence counsel led by Mohammed Ndayako requested access to their clients while in custody.
In response, the Attorney General assured the court that such access would not be denied.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody and directed that the trial be conducted on an accelerated basis.
The case was adjourned to April 27, 2026, for continuation.
According to the charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the defendants are accused of conspiring in 2025 to “levy war against the state” in a bid to remove the President.
The charges also include failure to disclose intelligence related to the alleged plot, as well as offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Prosecutors alleged that some of the defendants attended meetings aimed at advancing a political ideology capable of destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order, while others were accused of providing support and financing linked to terrorism.
The Federal Government further claimed that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to report it to authorities.
The case is linked to earlier reports surrounding the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade in October 2025, which had sparked speculation about a possible coup attempt.
While the Defence Headquarters initially dismissed the claims, it later confirmed in January 2026 that there had been an attempt to overthrow the government.
The military said some personnel were involved and had been detained pending further investigation and prosecution.
Families of some detained officers had previously appealed to the government to allow open trial proceedings and grant them access to their relatives, a request partly addressed during Wednesday’s court session.
