Six Defendants Plead Not Guilty in Alleged Coup Case

On Wednesday, six defendants, including Maj Gen Moham Ibrahim Gana and Capt Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism and attempt to wage war against the Nigerian state at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The arraignment, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, faced delays due to the absence of legal representation for some defendants.

The charges, which include failing to disclose intelligence related to an alleged coup plot, were read in court, and the defendants denied any involvement in terrorist activities. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, led the prosecution alongside Rotimi Oyedepo.

The court ordered the defendants to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and scheduled the trial to commence on April 27, 2026. Concerns were raised regarding the defendants' access to legal counsel, which the court addressed by mandating that lawyers be granted access to their clients.