Defendants Reject Confessions As Court Reopens Hearing In Coup Trial

Defendants Reject Confessions As Court Reopens Hearing In Coup Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a fresh hearing to determine whether statements obtained from suspects standing trial over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration were made voluntarily.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the ruling on Monday after defence lawyers challenged the admissibility of extra-judicial statements and video recordings presented by the Federal Government in the ongoing alleged coup plot trial.

The Federal Government is prosecuting six defendants accused of plotting to overthrow the Tinubu administration in a case involving allegations of treason, terrorism, money laundering, and concealment of information linked to the alleged conspiracy.

During proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), attempted to tender statements allegedly made by the defendants during interrogation sessions, alongside video evidence recorded by investigators.

However, the defence team objected, arguing that the statements were not voluntarily made and should therefore not be admitted as evidence.

According to the defence lawyers, the interrogation process violated provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the Anti-Torture Act, 2017.

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They alleged that the suspects were subjected to intimidation, coercion, and oppressive treatment during questioning. The lawyers also argued that the video recordings shown in court failed to fully capture the conditions under which the statements were obtained.

Counsel to the fifth defendant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), urged the court to conduct separate trial-within-trial proceedings for each defendant, insisting that all the accused persons independently challenged the authenticity and voluntariness of their statements.

He argued that separate hearings would ensure fairness and protect the constitutional rights of the defendants.

Responding, prosecution counsel Oyedepo said the Federal Government had no objection to a trial-within-trial but requested that the court adopt a joint proceeding rather than conducting separate hearings for each accused person.

After listening to arguments from both parties, Justice Abdulmalik ruled in favour of a joint trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were voluntarily made before they can be admitted as evidence in the substantive case.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until May 12 for continuation of proceedings.

The six defendants were arraigned by the Federal Government on April 22, 2026, over allegations connected to an alleged failed coup plot said to have surfaced in September 2025.

Those standing trial include retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, and Zekeri Umoru, an electrician attached to the Presidential Villa.

Others are Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric based in Zaria.

The defendants are facing a 13-count charge bordering on coup plotting, treason charges in Nigeria, terrorism financing, and money laundering.

Investigators had earlier arrested several serving and retired military officers alongside civilians allegedly linked to the conspiracy, while some military personnel are currently being tried separately before a General Court Martial.

Since the commencement of the trial, the prosecution has presented multiple witnesses, including security operatives and financial investigators, while several video recordings have also been played in open court.

In one of the videos earlier tendered, two defendants allegedly admitted having knowledge of discussions relating to the alleged coup plot, although they denied direct involvement in any attempt to overthrow the government.

The Federal Government has continued to push for accelerated proceedings, citing national security concerns and the seriousness of the allegations.

Defendants Reject Confessions As Court Reopens Hearing In Coup Trial