Court orders speedy trial of alleged coup plotters

The federal high court in Abuja has 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 Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who invoked a fast-track procedure and fixed April 29, April 30, May 4, and May 5 for the commencement of trial and the hearing of bail applications.

According to a statement, 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 begin before any bail applications are 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 suitable dates for a speedy trial.

Journalists were barred from covering the proceedings, as court officials, supported by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), asked reporters to vacate the courtroom shortly before the judge took her seat.

The six defendants — 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 — were earlier arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering. They all pleaded not guilty.

In one of the charges, the defendants are alleged to have conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.

The court had earlier fixed April 27 for the hearing of bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody.

Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva was mentioned in seven of the 13 counts but has not been listed as a defendant. Prosecutors said he is currently at large.

Earlier reports indicated that at least 40 suspects — including serving and retired military personnel and civilians — were arrested in connection with the alleged plot. Of these, 36 serving officers are being tried separately before a court-martial at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.