Coup Plot Suspects Arraigned in Abuja
A retired rear admiral and four other individuals, including a former naval captain, were formally arraigned in Abuja on Wednesday. These suspects are believed to be linked to a coup plot aimed at overthrowing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
The defendants—Maj. Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (RTD), Captain Erasmus Ochegovia Victor (RTD), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeli Umoru, Bukal Qasim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani—pleaded not guilty to 13 charges brought against them.
Swift Judicial Proceedings Ordered
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, directed the trial to be expedited, ordering that the defendants be held at the Department of State Services (DSS). Prior to this hearing, they had been held in the custody of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), where they reportedly faced restrictions on access to legal counsel and family visits.
During the proceedings, the first defendant, Gana, appeared for the first time in court in a wheelchair, suggesting health concerns. Just two days earlier, the Attorney General’s Office (AGF) had filed formal charges against the accused, alleging they conspired to incite conflict in Nigeria to forcibly remove President Tinubu from power.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
The prosecutor cited violations of Article 37, Paragraph 2 of the Penal Code as grounds for the charges, which carry severe penalties. During Wednesday’s hearing, all six accused individuals maintained their innocence regarding the criminal allegations.
Following their not guilty pleas, AGF Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN requested an expedited trial for the defendants. The court approved this request and reaffirmed that the accused would remain in DSS detention.
Bail Application Denied
Judge Abdulmalik declined a verbal bail application made by one of the defendants’ lawyers. She mandated that a formal request for bail be submitted before further consideration. The trial has been adjourned to April 27, when proceedings are set to commence. The judge also granted permission for the defendants’ attorneys to meet with them to adequately prepare their defense.
Improvements in Detention Conditions
Sunusi Musa SAN, representing one of the defendants, an Islamic cleric from Zaria, expressed gratitude to the AGF for ensuring the defendants’ transfer to DSS custody. He noted that the DSS has been respectful of his client’s rights, contrasting this with their previous detention at DIA, where access was severely restricted.
Details of the Charges
The complaint, registered as FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, encompasses serious allegations including money laundering related to terrorist financing, treason, and failure to report security threats. Additionally, former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva is reportedly on the run and is also named in the charges.
According to one of the accusations, the defendants allegedly collaborated to instigate a coup against the Nigerian government, which is classified as a punishable offense under Section 37(2) of the Penal Code. Prosecutors further contend that the group had prior knowledge of treasonous plans by Colonel Mohamed Alhassan Maazi and failed to notify authorities appropriately.
Count one highlights the collaboration among the defendants, asserting that they conspired in 2025, within Abuja’s jurisdiction, to wage war against the state and intimidate the President of Nigeria. Count two details the knowledge of the defendants regarding potential treasonous acts and their failure to alert the appropriate authorities.
