Six Suspected Coup Plotters Plead Not Guilty as Federal Government Trial Begins April 27
In a significant legal development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has arraigned six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, before the Federal High Court in Abuja. They face 13 charges related to an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, with all defendants entering pleas of not guilty during the proceedings.
Details of the Arraignment and Charges
The defendants, identified as Maj-Gen. Mohammed Gana (rtd), Navy Capt. Erasmus Victor (rtd), Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, were docked on multiple counts. These charges include treason, terrorism, and money laundering, stemming from accusations that they conspired in 2025 to levy war against the state with the intent of removing the President.
Prosecution led by the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), presented the case before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Following the reading of charges, the prosecution requested an accelerated hearing and sought remand of the defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). Defence counsel, led by Mohammed Ndayako (SAN), countered with oral applications for bail and demanded access to their clients.
Court Ruling and Trial Schedule
In a brief ruling, Justice Abdulmalik ordered the defendants to be remanded in DSS custody. The court adjourned proceedings until April 27, 2026, for the commencement of the trial. This decision follows earlier confirmation by the Defence Headquarters in January 2026 of an attempted coup involving certain military personnel, highlighting the gravity of the allegations.
Specific Allegations and Financial Ties
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/206/2026, the defendants are accused of failing to disclose intelligence about a planned coup and not taking reasonable steps to prevent its execution, despite prior knowledge. The Federal Government further alleges that they conspired to commit acts of terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and were involved in financing such activities.
- Bukar Goni is accused of retaining N50 million linked to terrorism financing.
- Abdulkadir Sani allegedly held N2 million from similar proceeds.
- Zekeri Umoru reportedly accepted N10 million in cash outside the banking system and retained an additional N8.8 million suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.
- Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim was also accused of receiving N1 million tied to the alleged scheme.
The charge also states that some defendants attended meetings aimed at advancing a political ideology capable of destabilising Nigeria's constitutional order.
Access to Detainees and Human Rights Concerns
In a related development, the military has granted lawyers and family members access to individuals accused of involvement in the coup plot, following months of restricted contact. This access was approved at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) detention facility in Abuja, addressing concerns raised over limited detainee access since their arrest.
Earlier, wives of some detained officers staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, demanding either the immediate release of their husbands or a transparent judicial process. Dressed in black and carrying placards with inscriptions such as Justice for our daddies, they decried prolonged unlawful detention, alleging their husbands had been held incommunicado for over five months without access to lawyers or family members.
Release of Detained Islamic Cleric
Sheikh Sani Zaria, an Islamic cleric detained without a court order for allegedly associating with one of the coup plotters, has been released by the DSS for trial. Justice Lifu had previously criticized the DIA for refusing to produce the detained man in court, emphasizing that the agency should not place itself above the laws of the land. The cleric had been in DIA custody since December last year after N2 million was discovered in his Jaiz Bank account, paid by one of the indicted coup plotters.
Although he agreed to forfeit the amount to the Federal Government to regain his freedom, the security agency held him to determine his level of complicity in the alleged coup plot. The judge ordered the AGF to ensure immediate compliance with the court's judgment, citing Nigeria's obligations under international human rights conventions.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Issues
The arraignment and trial proceedings have sparked debates over transparency and due process, with critics expressing concerns about plans to try suspects in batches before a military-style tribunal rather than in open civilian courts. This case underscores the challenges in balancing national security with judicial fairness in Nigeria's legal system.
As the trial approaches on April 27, 2026, all eyes will be on the Federal High Court in Abuja to see how these serious allegations are addressed, potentially setting precedents for future cases involving national security and constitutional order.
