Journalists have been barred from covering the trial of six alleged coup plotters accused of making moves to oust President Bola Tinubu, raising concerns about transparency in a case not declared a secret trial.
Judiciary correspondents were on Monday left uncertain about developments in the case, particularly as the suspects’ bail application is pending before the court. The six accused suspects were brought into the courtroom under heightened security presence.
The Federal Government had arraigned the suspects last Wednesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, led the prosecution.
All but a former Minister of Petroleum, Timiprye Sylva, who is said to be at large, were present in court. The defendants, including Major General Ibrahim Gana (retd), who was in a wheelchair; retired naval captain Erasmus Victor; Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani, pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge.
Following their plea, Fagbemi asked that they be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services and for an expeditious trial. Justice Abdulmalik ordered an accelerated trial and that the defendants be placed in the custody of the DSS, adjourning the case to April 27 for trial.
The charge, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, accused the defendants of offences ranging from alleged treason and terrorism to failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
The prosecution alleged 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. The Federal Government further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act but failed to alert authorities.
