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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Journalists were on Monday April 27, 2026, denied access to cover the ongoing trial of six individuals accused of plotting to overthrow Bola Tinubu government.
Despite the proceedings not being officially classified as a secret trial, judiciary correspondents were shut out leaving uncertainty around key developments particularly the pending bail applications of the defendants.
The accused, who include retired senior military officers and other individuals, had earlier been arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja. They are facing a 13-count charge ranging from treason and terrorism to alleged failure to disclose security intelligence.
However, all defendants present in court pleaded not guilty. Among them are Major General Ibrahim Gana (retd), Erasmus Victor, Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. A former Minister of Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, was also named in the charge but is reportedly at large.
The prosecution, led by Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, argued for their continued detention and requested an accelerated hearing. The court subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and approved a fast-tracked trial.
According to the charges, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 to wage war against the Nigerian state and had prior knowledge of a planned coup but failed to inform authorities.
With the media excluded from key proceedings, questions are now being raised about openness in a case with major political and national security implications