Six suspects, including two retired high-ranking military officers, pleaded not guilty to terrorism and treason charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
The 13-count charge (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026) alleges a conspiracy to “levy war” against Nigeria.
The prosecution, led personally by Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and DPP Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), named retired Maj. Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Capt.
Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, and four others in the plot.
Notably, former Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva is also listed on the charge sheet but remains at large.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana – (RTD), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor – (RTD), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (AP776373), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, Abdulkadir Sani, Timipre Sylva (still at large) and others, sometime in the year 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004.”
They were also alleged of failing to disclose intelligence relating to the alleged plot and not taking steps to prevent its execution despite having knowledge of plans involving other alleged conspirators.
Proceedings commenced at about 1:46 pm, with the AGF informing the court that the charge was ready and applying for it to be read to the defendants.
However, the arraignment was briefly stalled after the third defendant informed the court that his counsel was indisposed and absent.
Despite this, the trial judge ruled that the defendant could take his plea without legal representation.
Another delay followed when counsel for the sixth defendant informed the court that his client neither speaks nor understands English, but communicates only in Arabic and Hausa, necessitating the provision of an interpreter.
The court stood down the matter and later resumed at about 2:18pm.
Upon resumption, the 13-count charge was read, and all six defendants pleaded not guilty.
During the plea, one of the defendants admitted recognising a sum mentioned in the charge but denied any link to terrorism, while another described the money as a gift and also denied involvement in any terrorist act.
Following the pleas, the prosecution applied for the defendants to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services pending trial and urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case.
Counsel for the first defendant, Mohammed Ndayako, applied for bail and sought a short adjournment to enable the filing of the application.
He also urged the court to ensure that defence lawyers were granted adequate access to their clients in custody to prepare their case.
Responding, the prosecution assured the court that the defence would not be denied access to the defendants, noting that established procedures exist for such interactions.
Counsel to the second defendant, Chibuike Okah, holding brief for Henry Chibor, did not oppose the request for an accelerated hearing and access to the defendants, while two lawyers volunteered to represent the third defendant in the absence of his counsel.
Counsel to the fourth defendant, C.D. Okafor, did not oppose the application but raised concerns over previous difficulties in accessing his client, which he said had hindered preparation for a bail application.
Also, counsel to the fifth and sixth defendants, Mohammed Ibrahim and Sanusi Musa, also did not oppose the applications for remand and accelerated hearing.
The Attorney-General dismissed claims of restricted access, asserting that while he had received no formal complaints, legal visits must follow “laid-down procedures.”
He advised the defense to coordinate with authorities in advance to streamline client meetings.
Following the arraignment, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered an accelerated trial and remanded the defendants in DSS custody, specifically mandating that they be permitted access to their legal counsel.
The trial and bail hearings are scheduled to begin on April 27, 2026.
The proceedings were marked by an emotional display from the defendants’ families.
Wives of the accused, who claim they have been denied contact with their husbands for six months, pleaded for their release.
Among them was the wife of the fourth defendant, Zekeri Umoru, who made a tearful public appeal, stating she could not raise their four children alone.
She told the court: “I have four children. My children have been asking me where their father is. This is six months old. Nigeria, help me save my husband. I am begging you, I’m on my knees.
“The children are asking me where their father is. Help me save my husband. I can’t raise the children by myself. We are suffering. Make una help me save my husband.”
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