The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the trial of the individuals accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot to Monday, April 27, 2026, after all the defendants pleaded “Not guilty” to a 13-count charge filed by the Federal Government.
The defendants; retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani were formally arraigned on charges bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
When the charges were read in court, all the accused persons entered not guilty pleas, setting the stage for a full trial.
The prosecution, led by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, alleged that the defendants conspired in 2025 to destabilise the Nigerian state and “levy war against the government.”
The court proceedings also drew emotional reactions outside the courtroom when one Tina Umoru, a wife of one of the defendants, Zekeri Umoru spoke to journalists. She said her husband had been missing for six months before she recently learnt he was in custody, adding that the situation has left her family in distress and forced their children out of school due to hardship.
Tina also highlighted that for the past six months since she has been looking for her husband, she only got to hear from him yesterday, the eve of their first appearance in court.
After taking the pleas of the accused persons, the presiding judge ordered that the matter proceed on an accelerated basis, reflecting the urgency and seriousness attached to the case.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to April 27, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
The trial is expected to continue on the adjourned date as the Federal Government begins to present its case in the high-profile national security matter.
