By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of six individuals accused of plotting to overthrow the Federal Government. They are to be held at the detention facility of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The order was issued on Wednesday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik following a request from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), who led the prosecution team.
At their arraignment, all six defendants pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism financing, and related offences. After the plea, the prosecution applied for an accelerated trial, which the court granted.
The judge also rejected oral bail applications made by some defence lawyers, directing them instead to file formal applications. The case was adjourned to April 27 for the commencement of trial.
Justice Abdulmalik further ordered that the defendants’ lawyers be granted access to them to ensure adequate preparation of their defence.
Defence counsel Sunusi Musa (SAN), who represented Islamic cleric Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani, thanked the Attorney General for requesting that the defendants be held in DSS custody. He noted that the DSS had treated his client with civility and allowed access, unlike his previous detention at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), where access was restricted.
One of the defendants, retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, appeared in court in a wheelchair due to ill health and old age.
The defendants in the case (FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026) are:
Retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana
Retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim
Zekeri Umoru
Bukar Kashim Goni
Abdulkadir Sani
A former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, is also named in the charge but is currently at large.
According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired in 2025 to wage war against Nigeria and overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
They are also accused of failing to report or prevent a planned treasonable act allegedly involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others.
In addition to treason, the charges include conspiracy to commit terrorism, participation in terrorism-related meetings, providing support for terrorist activities, withholding intelligence, and offences related to money laundering and terrorism financing under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Specific allegations include the receipt and retention of funds suspected to be linked to terrorism financing, with amounts ranging from ₦1 million to ₦50 million, as well as failure to disclose information that could have prevented or aided in the investigation of the alleged acts.
The charges were filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
