Court Remands Six Alleged Coup Plotters in DSS Custody

Court Remands Six Alleged Coup Plotters in DSS Custody

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that six alleged coup plotters be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.

The defendants were brought before the court on Wednesday in proceedings that began at about 1:46 p.m. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, informed the court that the charges were ready and requested that they be formally read to the accused persons.

The hearing was briefly delayed after the third defendant informed the court that his lawyer was unavailable, while counsel to the sixth defendant told the court that his client understood only Arabic and Hausa. This prompted the court to temporarily stand down proceedings to arrange for an interpreter to ensure proper understanding of the charges.

When proceedings resumed at about 2:18 p.m., all six defendants entered their pleas and denied the allegations, pleading not guilty to all 13 counts of terrorism-related offences linked to the alleged coup plot.

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Following the arraignment, the prosecution counsel applied for the defendants—described in court proceedings as alleged coup plotters—to be remanded in DSS custody, arguing that their continued detention was necessary to support ongoing investigations and ensure effective prosecution of the case. The prosecution also urged the court to grant an accelerated hearing, a request that was largely not opposed by defence counsel, although counsel to the first defendant indicated plans to file a bail application.

In its ruling, the trial judge granted the request for an accelerated hearing and ordered that the six alleged coup plotters remain in DSS custody while granting them access to their legal representatives.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to April 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial proceedings.

Security sources say the case forms part of broader efforts to address alleged threats to Nigeria’s national security, though full details of the alleged coup plot have not been made public.

The DSS is expected to continue holding the suspects as the case proceeds through the judicial process.

Court Remands Six Alleged Coup Plotters in DSS Custody