The Federal Government, on Wednesday, arraigned five suspected masterminds of a plot to overthrow the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu through a coup d’état.
The defendants were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja for trial.
After pleading not guilty to the charges, the court ordered their remand in the custody of the Department of State Services.
The remand followed an application by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who appeared in court to personally handle the matter.
The court fixed Monday for the commencement of full hearing.
Before adjournment, defence counsel led by Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, requested that the DSS grant them access to their clients to enable adequate preparation for their defence, noting that the defendants have been in detention since their arrest.
Among those listed in the 13-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026 is former Bayelsa State governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Timipre Sylva, who was arraigned in absentia and is said to be at large.
Other defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, and Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
The charges against them include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and alleged money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
According to the Federal Government, the defendants allegedly conspired in September 2025 to wage war against the state and overawe the President, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
They were also accused of having prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failing to report it to the appropriate authorities or take steps to prevent it.
Further allegations include participation in meetings linked to terrorist activities and providing support for terrorism, with claims that some defendants handled funds suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.
The prosecution also alleged various financial transactions, including the retention and movement of large sums of money outside formal financial channels, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The case has been adjourned for full hearing.
