The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the continued remand of six individuals accused of plotting a coup against the Nigerian government in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, while granting an accelerated hearing in the case, directed that the defendants' lawyers and family members be given access within a reasonable time. The court adjourned until April 27 for the commencement of trial and hearing of pending bail applications. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, led the prosecution in filing a 13-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, against the accused. The defendants are retired Maj-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Capt. (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Insp Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. They face charges of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing. The charges allege a 2025 conspiracy to levy war against the state and overawe the President, offences punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code. Although not charged, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva is named as at large. All six pleaded not guilty. Fagbemi applied for their remand in DSS custody, which the court granted. Lawyers for five of the defendants said they had been denied access since October, except for the lawyer representing Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani, who confirmed access since his client's transfer to DSS custody.
Justice Abdulmalik ordered access to the defendants after lawyers revealed they had been blocked from seeing their clients since October, yet the court had already remanded them without resolving this access issue earlier. The prolonged isolation of accused persons before legal representation undermines due process for these individuals. If access was only restored yesterday, questions remain about how their rights were upheld during months of detention. This delay directly affects the ability of the accused to prepare a defence, including retired Maj-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana and Insp Ahmed Ibrahim.
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