A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of alleged masterminds of a plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The defendants were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and money laundering.
Following their plea of not guilty, the court directed that they be held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending trial. The remand followed an application by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who personally prosecuted the case.
The court adjourned proceedings to Monday for the commencement of full trial. Defence counsel, led by Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, urged the court to grant them access to their clients to enable adequate preparation for their defence, noting that the accused had been in detention since their arrest.
Among those listed as defendants is former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, who was arraigned in absentia after allegedly fleeing the country. Other defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
According to the Federal Government, the accused conspired in September 2025 to wage war against the state and destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional structure. They were also alleged to have prior knowledge of a planned coup involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji but failed to report or prevent it.
Prosecution further claimed that some defendants participated in meetings linked to terrorist activities and provided support for terrorism financing. Financial allegations include the retention of N50 million, N10 million cash transactions outside financial institutions, and other sums suspected to be proceeds of unlawful acts.
The charges were filed under the Criminal Code, Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
