Court Orders Fresh Hearing in Abuja Coup Trial

On Monday, Justice Joyc Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered a fresh hearing to determine whether statements made by six suspects accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu were obtained voluntarily. The defendants, including retired Major General Moham Ibrahim Gana and retired Navy Captain Erasmu Ochegobia, challenged the admissibility of their statements, arguing that the interrogation process violated provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Anti-Torture Act of 2017.

Defense lawyer Olalekan Ojo SAN requested a separate trial within a trial to better serve the interests of justice. The prosecution, represented by Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, did not object to this request.

Justice Abdulmalik ruled in favor of a joint trial within a trial to assess the voluntariness of the statements. The case has been adjourned until May 12.

The six defendants face 13 counts, including treason and terrorism, related to an alleged coup plot that surfaced in September 2025.