Alleged Coup Plot: Six Defendants Plead Not Guilty, Remanded in DSS Custody

Six individuals linked to an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The defendants  retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani were arraigned over allegations bordering on conspiracy to “levy war against the state” and attempts to topple the federal government in 2025.

One of the defendants, retired Major General Gana, was brought to court in a wheelchair as proceedings commenced before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, appeared as lead prosecutor in the matter. The defendants were accused of various offences, including alleged terrorism financing, failure to report knowledge of a treasonable plot, and neglecting to prevent the alleged offence.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly shared over N71 million linked to terrorism financing activities and failed to disclose prior knowledge of an alleged coup plot involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others.

Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, was also named in the charge sheet but is currently said to be at large.

Other counts allege that Abdulkadir Sani, a cleric based in Zaria, allegedly retained N2 million in a Jaiz Bank account, while Bukar Goni is accused of holding N50 million in a First Bank account suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.

Zekeri Umoru is also accused of receiving N10 million in cash and retaining about N8.8 million in a Zenith Bank account.

Following the defendants’ not guilty pleas, the Attorney General applied for their remand in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). He also urged defence counsel to adhere to proper protocols to ensure access to their clients, noting complaints that some legal representatives had previously been denied access while the suspects were held by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

Justice Abdulmalik ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody and adjourned the matter to April 27 for hearing of bail applications and commencement of trial proceedings.