The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday remanded alleged coup plotters in a terrorism and treason case linking former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a ruling, remanded the suspects while ordering an accelerated hearing of the case.
The defendants mentioned in the charge, seen by Nairametrics, are retired Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Capt. (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani.
One of the counts reads:
- “That you, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (Rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (Rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (AP776373), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, Abdulkadir Sani, Timipre Sylva (still at large), and others, sometime in the year 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowing that Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji (N/10668) and others intended to commit treason, did not give the information thereof with all reasonable dispatch to either the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or a peace officer, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004.”
The defendants were accused of treason-related offences, including terrorism financing and money laundering involving over N70 million.
What they are saying
The Attorney General of the Federation, Fagbemi, led a team of Federal Government lawyers to the court.
He orally applied to the court for the defendants to take their plea.
Lawyers who appeared for the defendants did not oppose the AGF’s request.
When the charges were read, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The AGF then applied that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and that the court order an accelerated hearing of the case.
Mohammed Ndayako, SAN, who appeared for the first defendant, Chibuike Ukah, drew the court’s attention to a bail application filed earlier in the day and prayed for a short date for its hearing.
He explained that, following the AGF’s application, “there should be a caveat that we should be allowed to see the defendants because, since October last year, we have been unable to see the first defendant until yesterday.”
Responding, Fagbemi assured the lawyers that they would be granted access to their clients in line with the law.
- “I can assure you that your right to interact with your clients will not be denied,” he said.
The AGF advised the defence team to ensure they follow protocol at the detention facility and notify authorities in advance whenever they plan to see their clients.
- “I am happy that all of you (the lawyers) are not opposed to an accelerated hearing so that we can have the matter disposed of in good time,” he added.
Justice Abdulmalik remanded the suspects in DSS custody and ordered the secret police to grant lawyers and family members access to the defendants within a reasonable time.
The judge then adjourned the matter until April 27 for the commencement of the trial and hearing of the bail applications.
What you should know
While the ex-minister is mentioned in the charges, he is not listed as a defendant in the instant treason case but is described as “still at large” in several counts.
The development comes months after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared him wanted over the alleged diversion of $14.8 million earmarked for the construction of a refinery.
This was disclosed in a notice issued by the EFCC and signed by Dele Oyewale, the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, in November 2025.
According to the Commission, Sylva, 61, who hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, is required to clear the air on the allegations.
The EFCC stated that the notice was issued pursuant to a November 6, 2025, warrant of the Lagos State High Court.
While both allegations are pending, the ex-minister has reportedly denied any involvement in the alleged attempted coup to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
