Nigeria’s Federal Government has started the legal steps to prosecute those it alleges were involved in a coup plot to unseat the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Six defendants, including a retired general, appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
Proceedings were handled by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who presided over the arraignment.
Those charged include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana and retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor.
Others are Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, a cleric based in Zaria, Kaduna State.
All six defendants denied the charges when they were read out in court.
“Not guilty,” each defendant said when asked to respond to the 13-count charge.
The charges include allegations linked to treason and actions considered threats to national security.
Court Orders Fast-Track Hearing in Abuja
Following the plea, the court ordered that the case should proceed without delay.
Justice Abdulmalik fixed April 27 for the hearing of bail applications filed by the defendants.
Meanwhile, five of the accused were brought to court under heavy security by operatives of the State Security Service.
They were ordered to remain in custody pending the outcome of their bail requests.
In contrast, Abdulkadir Sani, who had earlier secured release, appeared in court independently.
The session began at about 1:40 p.m., drawing attention due to the high-profile nature of the allegations.
The Federal High Court in Abuja handles cases involving federal offences, including terrorism and treason.
Such cases often involve multiple agencies, including intelligence and law enforcement bodies.
Background of Alleged Coup and Legal Implications
The charges stem from allegations that the defendants planned actions capable of destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Under Nigerian law, treason involves attempts to remove or weaken lawful authority through unlawful means.
If proven, such offences carry severe penalties, including long prison terms.
The involvement of former military officers has added weight to the case, given their previous roles in national security.
Nigeria has experienced past military interventions, but democratic rule has remained uninterrupted since 1999.
As a result, any allegation of a coup attracts strong legal and political attention.
The court’s decision to fast-track the case signals the urgency attached to the matter, before it takes on political permutations, as next year’s elections draw near.
For now, the defendants remain in custody as the legal process begins in earnest. Typically, such cases are not bailable.
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