7 charged over alleged plot to overthrow the Tinubu government

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday remanded the alleged coup plotter to the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The judge also ordered an expedited trial of the case.

He also ordered the DSS to provide lawyers and family members with access to the defendants within a reasonable time.

The judge then adjourned the case until April 27 to begin the trial and hear the defendants’ bail applications.

The order follows the indictment of six defendants by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on behalf of the Federal Government.

The Federal Government earlier this week filed 13 charges against the defendants.

The suspect is Maj. Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.

Although former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is not named as a defendant in the indictment, he is listed as a fugitive.

The defendants are accused of treason and terrorism, including failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering related to terrorist financing.

At the heart of the case is the allegation that the defendants conspired in 2025 to weaken the Nigerian state.

They allegedly conspired to launch a war against the country, among other things, to impress President Bola Tinubu.

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The offense is said to be punishable under Article 37 (2) of the Criminal Code.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.