The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered an accelerated hearing in the trial of six suspects accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
A parallel court-martial proceedings involving serving military officers linked to the alleged plot are also set to resume on May 8. The development was contained in a statement shared with our correspondent on Monday, indicating that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik invoked a speedy trial procedure and fixed April 29, April 30, May 4, and May 5 for the commencement of the trial and hearing of bail applications.
Those standing trial are Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; and Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa.
Others are Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based Islamic cleric. They are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering, to which they all pleaded not guilty.
According to the statement, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution had witnesses ready, subject to the court’s convenience.
Counsel for the first defendant, Mohammed Ilayepo, told the court that his client’s bail application was due for hearing. Justice Abdulmalik, however, ruled that the trial would commence before any bail applications were considered.
Lawyers to the second, third, and sixth defendants, Paul Erokoro, A.I. Yeru, and N.S. Diri expressed reservations about proceeding, citing short notice and the complexity of the case.
The judge subsequently directed all parties to agree on dates suitable for a speedy trial before fixing the adjourned dates. Journalists were barred from covering proceedings as the court prepared to hear the bail applications.
Court officials, backed by operatives of the Department of State Services, directed reporters to vacate the courtroom shortly before Justice Abdulmalik took her seat.