Court assures alleged coup plotters of speedy trial
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing in the trial of six individuals accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Justice Joyce
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing in the trial of six individuals accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed April 29 and 30, and May 4 and 5 for the commencement of trial proceedings, including the hearing of bail applications filed by the defendants.
The judge also directed all parties to agree on suitable dates to ensure a speedy trial, stressing that the trial would take precedence over any pending bail applications.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with its witnesses.
Counsel to the first defendant, Mohammed Ilayepo, said his client’s bail application was ripe for hearing.
However, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that trial proceedings would be prioritised.
Lawyers representing the second, third and sixth defendants - Paul Erokoro, A. I. Yeru and N. S. Diri - raised concerns about their preparedness, citing short notice and the complexity of the case.
In response, the judge directed all parties to agree on convenient dates to ensure an expeditious trial.
However, proceedings were marred by the exclusion of journalists from the courtroom.
Reporters were ordered out of the courtroom.
Some journalists had arrived at the court shortly after 8am and secured seats in the last row, awaiting the commencement of proceedings.
A few minutes to 9am, a court official announced that anyone unable to secure a seat should vacate the courtroom, as the judge would not allow standing during proceedings.
While those without seats, including some lawyers, were leaving the courtroom, another court official, accompanied by a security officer, approached the journalists and directed them to leave immediately.
When asked why, the officials said they were acting on the instructions of Justice Abdulmalik, who had ordered that journalists should not be allowed in the courtroom.
The journalists protested, noting that the case was of significant public interest and that there was no order barring media coverage.
The officials, however, insisted on enforcing the directive.
Shortly after the journalists were escorted out, the courtroom doors were locked, and the judge commenced sitting.
The six defendants, namely Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, were arraigned earlier in April on a 13-count charge.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, they are accused of plotting to levy war against the state in a bid to overawe the President.
The charges include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
According to the prosecution, the defendants “conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
They are also alleged to have had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others, but failed to alert the authorities.
