The Federal High Court in Abuja became the center of national attention on Wednesday as the Federal Government brought six individuals before the court on a 13-count charge relating to alleged terrorism.
Filed on Monday, the charges target a group that includes retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, a serving police inspector, and three others. Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is also listed among the accused but is reportedly at large.
According to the prosecution, led by the Office of the Attorney-General, the defendants are accused of conspiring throughout 2025 to wage war against the state, allegedly aiming to overthrow the presidency. In addition to the primary charge of treason, they face further allegations under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), personally led the prosecution during Wednesday’s proceedings, signaling the government’s heightened focus on combating insurgency.
The session began with a short procedural delay: the third defendant’s lawyer was absent due to illness, and the sixth defendant required interpretation services, speaking only Arabic and Hausa. The court briefly adjourned to secure a qualified interpreter, upholding judicial transparency and ensuring all accused fully comprehended the proceedings.
Once the session resumed, the charges were read aloud, and all six defendants pleaded not guilty to each count.
While the precise details of the charges remain confidential, they fall under Nigeria’s robust counter-terrorism laws. Following the pleas, Fagbemi requested an accelerated hearing to expedite the trial process in the interest of national security. Although the first defendant’s counsel indicated plans to seek bail, defense attorneys largely did not object to the speedy trial request.
The presiding judge agreed to a swift resolution and scheduled the trial to begin on April 27, 2026. Until then, all six defendants are to remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), with the court ordering the DSS to ensure they have regular access to their lawyers to prepare their defense.
