Defendants Arrive for Coup Plot Arraignment in Abuja

On Wednesday, a defendant arrived early at the Federal High Court in Abuja ahead of the arraignment of five others involved in an alleged coup plot. The defendants, including retired Major General Moham Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia, Inspector Ahm Ibrahim Zekeri, Umoru Bukar Kashim Goni, Abdulkadir Sani, and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva, are facing 13 counts filed by the Federal Government.

The charges include conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism and failure to disclose intelligence related to the alleged plot to overthrow the government, which is said to be aimed at the 2025 elections in Abuja. The prosecution accuses the defendants of not taking steps to prevent the execution of the plot despite prior knowledge.

The arraignment is expected to commence under the watch of Justice Joyc Abdulmalik, with heightened security presence around the court complex.