The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated trial for suspects accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, following their arraignment on Wednesday.
The defendants were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and related offences, filed by the Federal Government.
Leading the prosecution, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, urged the court to remand the accused in the custody of the Department of State Services and grant an expedited hearing.
All defendants were present in court, except former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is said to be at large. Among those arraigned was retired Major General Ibrahim Gana, who appeared in a wheelchair.
Proceedings were briefly stood down to allow for an interpreter for Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani, whose counsel informed the court that he understands only Hausa and Arabic.
When the charges were read, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, defence counsel, led by Mohammed Ndayako, requested that the court ensure access to the defendants while in custody.
In response, Fagbemi assured that their right to legal access would not be denied, stating that no prior complaint had been brought to his attention regarding restricted access.
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Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted the request for an accelerated trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody. The case was adjourned to April 27 for the commencement of trial.
The charges allege that the defendants conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under the Criminal Code.
They were also accused of failing to disclose intelligence about a planned treasonable act involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others, as well as neglecting to prevent the alleged plot, having “did not use any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence”.
The prosecution further alleged that the accused “conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism in the Federal Republic of Nigeria” under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were specifically accused of attending meetings linked to the plot “in a bid to further a political ideology which may seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The defendants were also alleged to have “knowingly and indirectly rendered support” to facilitate acts of terrorism.
Additionally, the government claimed they “had information which would be of material assistance in preventing the commission of the act of terrorism but failed to disclose the information to the relevant agency as soon as practicable”.
The case forms part of a broader investigation into an alleged coup attempt that surfaced in 2025 and has since led to arrests and ongoing legal proceedings.