By our reporter 22.4.2026
Six alleged coup plotters including retired Maj-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (retd), were arraigned at a Federal High Court, Abuja Division on Wednesday.
They are facing a 13-count charge, in the case marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, brought by the Federal government with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, acting as chief prosecutor.
The other suspects are Capt. (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (retd), Insp Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, listed as 1st to 6th defendants respectively. Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is not named as a defendant in the charge, he is listed as being at large.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Presiding judge Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, adjourned the case till April 27 where the suspects could file bail applications. She ordered an accelerated hearing in the trial of the suspects, who will remain in the custody of the Department of State Services. She also ordered that the defendants be granted access to their family members and lawyers.
Justice Abdulmalik equally ordered the SSS to give the lawyers and family members access to the defendants within a reasonable time.
The defendants were accused of alleged treason and terrorism, including failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
At the centre of the case is an allegation that the defendants conspired in 2025 to undermine the Nigerian state.
They were alleged to have conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, among others.
The offence is said to be punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.