Six people accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu were arraigned in court on Wednesday on charges of treason and terrorism.
All six pleaded not guilty to all 13 charges, which were announced on Tuesday. The suspects have been in the custody of the secret police for months.
Following the plea, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, requested that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS and called for an expedited hearing of the case.
Counsel to the first defendant, Mohammed Ndayako, however, sought assurances to guarantee access to their clients while in custody.
In response, the Attorney-General assured the court that the rights of the defendants would be respected, noting that there had been no prior complaint regarding access.
He added that all parties are aligned on the need for an accelerated trial.
The Federal Government had announced a few days back the trial date for the alleged Coup plotters who according to investigators planned a bloody take over of government in October 2025.
The alleged plotters who included a former Governor of Bayelsa State and Minister of Petroleum affairs, Timipre Sylva, and is currently at large were picked up for various roles in the planned coup.
The court adjourned the case until April 27, when it will hear bail applications.
In the charge sheet, authorities said the suspects “conspired with one another to levy war against the state to over throw the president of the Federal Republic.”
The federal government first said it had foiled a coup attempt in January, when it announced that several military officers would stand trial.
Comments