By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Six alleged coup plotters were on Wednesday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja have pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge bordering on treason and terrorism filed by the Federal Government.
The six defendants — Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (retd), Capt. (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (retd), Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani — were docked before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, were instituted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on behalf of the Federal Government.
The defendants were alleged to have conspired in 2025 to undermine the Nigerian state and “levy war” against it in a bid to overawe the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They are also accused of failing to disclose security intelligence and engaging in money laundering linked to terrorism financing. The offences are said to be punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
Though a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is not listed as a defendant, he is named in the charge as being at large.
When the matter was called, all counsel were present except the lawyer to the 3rd defendant, Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, who told the court he had been unable to secure legal representation. Justice Abdulmalik directed that the arraignment proceed, noting that lawyers do not enter pleas on behalf of defendants.
Fagbemi, who led the prosecution team, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendants to take their plea and applied that the charge be read to them. Defence counsel, including Mohammed Ndayako, SAN; Chibuike Ukah; C.D. Okafor; Mohammed Ibrahim; and Sanusi Musa, SAN, did not oppose the application.
Upon the reading of the charges, all six defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, the prosecution applied for the defendants to be remanded in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) and for accelerated hearing of the case.
Responding, Ndayako informed the court of a pending bail application already filed and served on the prosecution, urging the court to fix a date for its hearing. He also raised concerns over limited access to the 1st defendant since October, stressing the need for adequate access to prepare their defence.
In response, Fagbemi assured the court that the defendants’ lawyers would be granted access in line with the law. “I can assure you that your right to interact with your clients will not be denied,” he said.
Other defence counsel echoed similar concerns but expressed satisfaction with the assurance. However, counsel to the 6th defendant, Sanusi Musa, SAN, told the court that he had enjoyed unhindered access to his client since his transfer to SSS custody.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in SSS custody and directed the agency to grant lawyers and family members access within a reasonable time.
The judge also ordered accelerated hearing and adjourned the matter until April 27 for the commencement of trial and hearing of the bail applications.