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Five defendants accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration through an alleged coup have been remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suspects were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where they all pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
Following their plea, the court granted the prosecution’s request that they be kept in DSS custody pending trial. The application was moved by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who personally led the Federal Government’s prosecution.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to Monday for the commencement of full hearing.
Counsel to the defendants, led by Mohammed Ndayako (SAN), urged the court to direct the DSS to allow them access to their clients to enable adequate preparation of their defence.
Among those named in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026 is former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who was arraigned in absentia after reportedly leaving the country prior to the filing of the charges.
Other defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in September 2025 to wage war against the state and intimidate President Tinubu, in violation of the Criminal Code.
The Federal Government further alleged that the accused had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to report it to the appropriate authorities or take steps to prevent its execution.
On terrorism-related allegations, the prosecution claimed the defendants conspired to carry out acts capable of destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order. It further alleged that Inspector Ibrahim and Umoru participated in meetings linked to terrorist activities aimed at advancing a political ideology against the state.
The charge also included allegations of illicit financial transactions. Bukar Goni was accused of retaining N50 million in a First Bank account suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, while Umoru allegedly received N10 million in cash from Colonel Ma’aji outside the banking system and retained an additional N8.8 million in a Zenith Bank account. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim was also alleged to have received N1 million from the same source.
All financial-related counts were filed under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
