Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday excluded journalists from covering the trial of six individuals accused of orchestrating a plot to overthrow the administration of Bola Tinubu.
The case was scheduled for the Federal Government to begin presenting its evidence, including calling witnesses to testify against the defendants. However, despite no formal request from the prosecution for a closed hearing, security personnel acting on the judge’s directive ordered journalists out of the courtroom before proceedings commenced.
Reporters who had arrived early to secure seats were instructed to vacate immediately, with officials insisting they were carrying out the court’s instructions. The courtroom was subsequently locked, and the hearing proceeded behind closed doors.
The six defendants, who were arraigned on April 22 under a 13-count charge, include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, and three others—Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Also mentioned in the charge is former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva, who is reportedly at large after leaving the country before details of the alleged coup plot emerged.
The charges against the accused include treason, terrorism, failure to report security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorist activities. According to the Federal Government, the defendants allegedly conspired in September 2025 to wage war against the state in an attempt to intimidate the president.
They were also accused of having prior knowledge of a planned coup involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and failing to report it to authorities, as well as not taking steps to prevent its execution.
Additional allegations relate to offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including conspiracy to carry out acts of terrorism within Nigeria.
The court has ordered that the defendants remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending the conclusion of the trial.