Six individuals have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government and committing offences linked to treason and terrorism financing.
The defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, along with Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. They all pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge.
The seventh suspect, former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva, was listed as being at large and is not currently in custody.
According to the prosecution led by Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, the accused allegedly conspired to “levy war against the state” and attempted to undermine the authority of the President. The charges also include terrorism-related offences and money laundering tied to alleged terrorism financing.
The defendants are also accused of failing to report knowledge of a planned treasonable act and not taking steps to prevent its execution, offences under Nigeria’s criminal and anti-terrorism laws.
During proceedings, the prosecution requested that the accused be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and asked for an accelerated hearing. Defence lawyers, however, raised concerns about limited access to their clients but later confirmed improved communication arrangements with DSS officials.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the prosecution’s request for an accelerated trial, ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody, and directed that they be given access to their lawyers for proper defence preparation. The case was adjourned to April 27.
The court documents allege that some of the defendants were involved in financial transactions linked to terrorism financing, with amounts running into millions of naira.
