The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants accused of plotting a coup in the custody of the Department of State Services, following their arraignment on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.
The defendants were docked before the court in proceedings that commenced at about 1:46pm after the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready for hearing and sought leave for it to be read.
However, the session was briefly stalled when the third defendant told the court that his counsel was indisposed. Proceedings were further delayed after counsel to the sixth defendant disclosed that his client only understood Arabic and Hausa, prompting the court to stand down the matter to allow for the provision of an interpreter.
When the court reconvened at about 2:18pm, all six defendants took their pleas, denying the allegations and pleading not guilty to the charges.
Following the arraignment, the prosecution applied for their remand in DSS custody and urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case.
While most defence counsel did not oppose the application, counsel to the first defendant indicated plans to file a bail application.
In his ruling, the trial judge granted the request for an accelerated hearing and ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody. The court also directed that they be given access to their lawyers.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till April 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
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