Six defendants on Wednesday denied allegations of terrorism and coup plotting after being arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 13-count charge.
The defendants — Maj. Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (retd.), Capt. Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (retd.), Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani — are accused of conspiring to commit acts of terrorism and attempting to “levy war” against the Nigerian state. A former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, was also listed in the charge as being at large.
The prosecution, led by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the alleged offences were committed in 2025 in Abuja. The charge stated that the defendants conspired to overawe the President of Nigeria, an offence punishable under the Criminal Code.
They were also accused of failing to disclose intelligence relating to the alleged plot and not taking steps to prevent its execution despite prior knowledge.
Proceedings, which began around 1:46 p.m., were briefly delayed after one of the defendants informed the court that his counsel was absent due to illness. The court, however, ruled that the plea could proceed. Another delay occurred when the sixth defendant required an interpreter, having indicated he only understood Arabic and Hausa.
After the court reconvened, all six defendants pleaded not guilty. During the session, one of the accused acknowledged recognising a sum mentioned in the charge but denied any connection to terrorism, while another described the money as a gift and also denied wrongdoing.
Following the pleas, the prosecution requested that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services and sought an accelerated hearing of the case.
Defence counsel for the first defendant, Mohammed Ndayako, applied for bail and asked for time to file the application, while urging the court to ensure lawyers had adequate access to their clients. Other defence lawyers did not oppose the request for remand or speedy trial but raised concerns about difficulties in meeting with their clients.
In response, the Attorney-General assured the court that procedures were in place to guarantee access to detainees and advised counsel to notify relevant authorities ahead of visits.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently ordered an accelerated hearing, directed that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody, and ruled that they must be granted access to their lawyers. The case was adjourned to April 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial and hearing of bail applications.
Meanwhile, some wives of the defendants appealed for their release, saying they had not seen their husbands in six months. The wife of Zekeri Umoru, who has four children, pleaded for help, saying she was struggling to care for the family alone since his arrest.
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