The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday barred journalists from covering trial of alleged coup plotters, as a court official and an operative of the State Security Service (SSS) directed them to vacate the courtroom shortly before the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik took her seat
Penpushing reports that the ejection of the journalists who had arrived at the court as early as 8:00 a.m., but left at about 9:07 a.m. after the directive, signalled what appears to be the authorities’ preference for a secret trial.
The court sitting was on bail applications for six defendants accused of plotting against President Bola Tinubu, while it is recalled that the Nigerian government on Wednesday, April, 22, 2026 arraigned a retired army general and five others on charges of planning failed coup against Tinubu.
Penpushing further reports that the six defendants include 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, as well as Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based Islamic cleric.
The accused face 13 counts of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering, however, all six pleaded not guilty when the charges were read Wednesday last week.
Penpushing also reports that Judge Abdulmalik after the plea granted accelerated hearing and fixed Monday, April 27, 2026, for the bail hearing, and ordered that the defendants be remanded in State Security Service (SSS) custody.
The former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources during the immediate past administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, was named as a conspirator in seven of the 13 counts but has not been charged as a defendant.
Penpushing reports that the prosecutors is on the run, while Sylva on his part denied the allegation in a statement last year, arguing that he was abroad and would return to clear his name, but has not done so as at the time of filing this report
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that at least 40 suspects, including serving and retired military officers and civilians, were arrested over the alleged plot, while the 36 serving officers alleged coup plotters were arraigned on Friday at about 8:53 a.m. before a court martial at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja
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