Six defendants standing trial over an alleged coup plot have pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Federal Government is prosecuting the suspects alongside a former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, who was named in the case but is currently at large. The charges against the defendants include treason, terrorism, and money laundering.
At the resumed hearing, all six defendants were present in court, while proceedings were briefly stepped down to allow for the provision of an interpreter for one of the accused persons.
After the defendants entered their not guilty pleas, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, urged the court to remand them in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and called for an accelerated trial.
The court granted the prosecution’s request, ordering that the defendants be remanded while also directing that their legal representatives must be given full and unhindered access to them.
The case forms part of ongoing efforts by authorities to prosecute individuals accused of involvement in activities considered threats to national security.
