The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered an accelerated hearing in the trial of six suspects accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of Bola Tinubu.
The directive was issued by Joyce Abdulmalik, who invoked a speedy trial procedure and fixed April 29, April 30, May 4, and May 5 for the commencement of the trial and hearing of bail applications.
Those standing trial include Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based Islamic cleric.
The defendants are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to a statement made available to journalists, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, informed the court that the prosecution had witnesses ready, subject to the court’s schedule.
Counsel to the first defendant, Mohammed Ilayepo, told the court that his client’s bail application was due for hearing. However, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that trial proceedings would commence before any bail applications were considered.
Lawyers representing the second, third, and sixth defendants—Paul Erokoro, A.I. Yeru, and N.S. Diri—raised concerns about proceeding on short notice, citing the complexity of the case. The court subsequently directed all parties to agree on dates suitable for a speedy trial before fixing the adjourned dates.
Meanwhile, journalists were barred from covering the proceedings as the court prepared to hear the bail applications. Court officials, supported by operatives of the Department of State Services, ordered reporters to vacate the courtroom shortly before the judge took her seat.
Although no official reason was given at the time, a court official indicated that the directive came from the judge, while a DSS operative said an explanation would be provided later. Journalists who had arrived as early as 8:00 a.m. complied with the order and exited the courtroom around 9:07 a.m.
The six defendants were arraigned last Wednesday by the Federal Government over an alleged failed coup. In one of the counts, they are accused of conspiring in 2025 to levy war against the Nigerian state in a bid to overpower the President, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
Following their arraignment, the court had earlier fixed April 27 for the hearing of bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody.
In a related development, proceedings before a military tribunal are also advancing. The Defence Headquarters confirmed that the court martial of 36 serving officers linked to the alleged plot will resume on May 8.
The officers, who were arraigned before a military panel sitting at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, are facing internal disciplinary charges under military law, separate from the civilian trial at the Federal High Court.
The parallel proceedings highlight the scale of the alleged conspiracy, which authorities say involved both serving military personnel and civilians.
Meanwhile, a former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, who was mentioned in several counts but not listed as a defendant, is reportedly at large.
Earlier reports indicated that at least 40 suspects, including serving and retired military personnel as well as civilians, were arrested in connection with the alleged plot.
