Alleged Coup Plot: Court Orders DSS Custody for Defendants, Trial Begins Monday

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of five individuals accused of plotting to overthrow the government of Bola Tinubu, following their arraignment on Wednesday.

Presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, directed that the defendants be held by the Department of State Services (DSS) after they pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.

The remand followed a request by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, who appeared in court to lead the prosecution.

The court scheduled Monday for the start of substantive hearing.

Defence lawyers, led by Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, urged the court to grant them access to the detained defendants to prepare their case, noting that they have been in custody since their arrest.

The charge sheet includes former Bayelsa governor, Timipre Sylva, who was arraigned in absentia and is reportedly outside the country.

Other defendants include senior retired military officers, a serving police inspector, and civilians.

The Federal Government alleges that the accused conspired in 2025 to wage war against the state and failed to report intelligence about a planned coup linked to Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji.

“They did not give the information thereof with all reasonable despatch… and did not use any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence,” part of the charge stated.

The prosecution also accused the defendants of engaging in terrorism-related activities and attempting to advance “a political ideology which may seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Further allegations involve financial transactions tied to terrorism financing, including large sums allegedly retained or received by some of the accused.

The case, which combines charges of treason, terrorism, and money laundering, is expected to test the government’s claims as full trial proceedings begin next week.

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