The Federal High Court Abuja has ordered the remand of six individuals accused of plotting a coup, directing that they be held in the custody of the Department of State Services pending the commencement of their trial.
The defendants were arraigned on Wednesday on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism. During the proceedings, Lateef Fagbemi informed the court that the charges were ready and requested permission for them to be read to the accused.
Court proceedings were briefly interrupted when one of the defendants indicated that his lawyer was unavailable due to ill health.
Another defence counsel also told the court that his client could only communicate in Arabic and Hausa, prompting the judge to temporarily stand down the case to allow for the provision of an interpreter.
When the session resumed, all six defendants entered pleas of not guilty to the charges.
Following the arraignment, the prosecution urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody and requested an expedited hearing of the case. While most defence lawyers did not oppose the application, counsel to the first defendant signaled plans to file a bail request.
In his ruling, the trial judge granted the prosecution’s request for an accelerated hearing and ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody, with access to their legal representatives.
“The defendants are to be remanded in the custody of the DSS pending the determination of this case,” the judge ruled.
“They must, however, be granted unhindered access to their counsel.”
The matter was adjourned to April 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial proceedings.
