By Francis Ajuonuma
Journalists were on Monday barred from covering proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the trial of six men accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu resumed under tight security, raising fresh concerns over transparency in one of Nigeria’s most sensitive treason cases.
The exclusion of court reporters from the courtroom came despite the proceedings not being formally designated as a secret trial, leaving uncertainty over critical developments, including the status of pending bail applications by the defendants.
The Federal Government last Wednesday arraigned the six suspects on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, terrorism financing, and failure to disclose security intelligence.
Those standing trial are retired Major General Ibrahim Gana, retired naval captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Former Minister of Petroleum, Timiprye Sylva, who was also named in the charge, remains at large.
When the matter resumed before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing, stating that the prosecution was ready to proceed with witnesses.
“The prosecution has witnesses ready to proceed, subject to the court’s schedule,” Fagbemi told the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently approved the request for a speedy trial and fixed April 29, April 30, May 4, and May 5 for trial proceedings and related hearings.
The court also ruled that the trial would commence before hearing bail applications filed by some of the defendants, a decision that further heightened legal and public interest in the proceedings.
Counsel to the first defendant, Mohammed Ilayepo, informed the court that his client’s bail application was ready, but the judge deferred consideration.
Lawyers representing the second, third, and sixth defendants raised objections, citing inadequate preparation time due to the complexity of the charges and short notice.
However, Justice Abdulmalik directed all parties to harmonise dates while reaffirming the court’s determination to fast-track the case.
Last week, following the defendants’ “not guilty” pleas, the court ordered their remand in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the charge filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the accused allegedly conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The Federal Government also alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a treasonable plot involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others, but failed to disclose the information to security agencies.
Additional counts include alleged terrorism financing and money laundering.
Monday’s decision to bar journalists from the courtroom has intensified scrutiny over judicial openness, especially given the gravity of allegations involving threats to national stability.
With proceedings now placed on an accelerated timetable, public attention remains sharply focused not only on the prosecution’s case but also on concerns surrounding due process, transparency, and access to justice in a trial of national significance.
