Court Orders DSS Custody for Alleged Coup Plotters

On Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyc Abdulmalik, ordered the remand of six alleged coup plotters in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). The court mandated an accelerated hearing for the case, which involves charges filed by the Federal Government, including treason and terrorism.

The defendants, identified as Maj Gen Moham Ibrahim Gana, Captain Erasmus Ochegobia, Victor, Insp Ahm Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, were arraigned on 13 counts. Notably, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was not named in the charges.

The trial is scheduled to commence on April 27, with the defendants' lawyers granted access to their clients. Justice Abdulmalik emphasized the need for the DSS to facilitate this access.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, and their legal representatives have filed a bail application, which is set to be heard shortly.