Court Fix Trial Date For Suspected Coup Plotters.The Federal High Court has fixed a trial date for suspected coup plotters facing trial on 13-count charges related to terrorism and treason.
KanO—
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday,has fixed April 28, April for the trial of six suspects accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Seven military officers are set to also face court martial proceedings resuming on May 8.
This was revealed in a statement made available to journalists on, Monday,indicating that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik,had fixed April 29, April 30,May 4 and May 5 by invoking a speedy trial.
Those set to face the trial are Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; and Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based Islamic cleric.
Court Fix Trial Date For Suspected Coup Plotters
They are facing a 13-count charge related to treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering, which they all pleaded not guilty.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), according to the statement,had informed the court that the prosecution had witnesses ready, subject to the court’s convenience counsel for the first defendant, Mohammed Ilayepo, explained to the court that his client’s bail application was due for hearing.
However,Justice Joyce Abdulmalik,ruled that trial would commence before any bail applications were considered.
The lawyers to the second, third, and sixth defendants, Paul Erokoro, A.I. Yeru, and N.S. Diri expressed reservations about proceeding, noting the complex nature of the case.
Court Fix Trial Date For Suspected Coup Plotters
The judge instructed all parties to agree to dates convenient for a speedy trial before fixing the adjourned dates.
Reports have revealed how journalists were barred from covering the proceedings.
DSS operatives and court officials mandated reporters to leave the courtroom before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik took her seat.
An unidentified court official told journalists that the directive emanated from the judge, while a DSS operative said he would offer an explanation later.
Court Fix Trial Date For Suspected Coup Plotters
However,the reporters complied and exited the courtroom shortly after the judge was seated.Correspondents were seen around the court premises as early as 8:00am but were forced out of the courtroom at about 9:07 a.m. following the order.
Charges Against The Coup Plotters.
PlottersThe six defendants were arraigned last Wednesday by the Federal Government over an alleged failed coup.
In count one of the charges, the defendants are alleged to have conspired in 2025 to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.Nigeria Economy: Tinubu can’t fix it in two years -Oshiomole
.”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, TIMPRE 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″the count reads
Court Fix Trial Date For Suspected Coup Plotters
Count two charge the defendants for concealing information related to the coup despite being aware.
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, TIMPRE SYLVA(still at large) and others, sometime in the year 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowing that COLONEL MOHAMMED ALHASSAN MA’AJI (N/10668) and others intended to commit treason, did not give the information thereof with all reasonable despatch to either the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or a Peace Officer and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004″
Following their arraignment, the court had earlier fixed April 27 for the hearing of their bail applications and ordered that they be remanded in the custody of the DSS.Proceedings before a military tribunal are also gaining momentum.
The Defence Headquarters has revealed that the court martial of 36 serving officers related to the alleged coup plot will resume on May 8.
Court Fix Trial Date For Suspected Coup Plotters
The officers were arraigned before the military panel sitting at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.They are facing disciplinary charges under military law, separate from the civilian prosecution at the Federal High Court.
The dual proceeding including civilian trial and military court martial reveals the scale of the alleged conspiracy, which authorities say involved both serving personnel and civilians.
A former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, who was mentioned at large in seven of the 13 counts has not been listed as a defendant.
Earlier reports indicated that at least 40 suspects, including serving and retired military personnel and civilians, were arrested in connection with the alleged plot.
Alleged Coup Plot.
Rumors of an alleged coup in Nigeria went viral in October 2025. The Defence Headquarters, dismissed the claims but on 18 October 2025, revealed that 16 officers were arrested as part of a routine internal investigation.
Verified reports later revealed that the officers were under probe for allegedly attempting to eliminate President Tinubu and other top government officials in a coup plot.
According to intelligence reports from verified sources, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas are part of those to be killed.
The plot was uncovered in late September 2025, after an unnamed military officer with direct knowledge of the coup contacted the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede.
Court Fix Trial Date For Suspected Coup Plotters
According to the officer, he feared being implicated as an accessory to treason if he failed to alert authorities.In January, the military finally acknowledged the coup plot and plans to further prosecute the matter in court.
Source Line_Sources include official statements, on-record interviews, public documents and verified reporting
