US EditionAlleged coup: Court grants Nigerian Govt's plea for witness protection
The judge said the witness faces security risks and ordered the name kept out of court records as the trial opened on treason and terrorism charges.
- On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the Federal Government's application to shield a prosecution witness's identity in the trial of six individuals accused of plotting a failed coup against President Bola Tinubu.
- The Federal Government filed 13 counts of treason, terrorism, and money laundering against the defendants, including retired Maj-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana and retired Capt. Erasmus Ochegobia Victor.
- Prosecution lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo cited Section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to justify the request, arguing the witness faced an "unnecessary attack." Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the order.
- Defence lawyers did not oppose the protective measures, and the court paused proceedings for about 30 minutes to install the screen before three witnesses from Jaiz Bank, SunTrust Bank, and Providus Bank testified.
- Arraigned on April 22, 2026, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts, while former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva remains listed as being at large in the case.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Alleged coup: Court grants Nigerian Govt's plea for witness protection
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted an application by the Federal Government to shield the name and identity of its witness from the Nigerian Army in the ongoing trial of six suspected coup plotters. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the application after taking arguments from counsel for the prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and the defence lawyers. The Federal Government had filed a 13-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026,…
Coup Trial: Four Witnesses Testify Against Six Suspects
The prosecution, on Wednesday, opened its case in the accelerated trial of six men accused of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu, calling four witnesses to testify. A soldier from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP), who testified under the protected identity “AAA”, provided details of how the alleged coup plot was uncovered and the findings that followed investigations. Led in evidence by the …
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