Court remands six coup plot suspects in DSS custody

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism.

Proceedings commenced at about 1:46pm with Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) seeking leave to have the charge read to the defendants. The sitting was briefly stalled after the third defendant informed the court that his counsel was indisposed, while counsel to the sixth defendant disclosed that his client understood only Arabic and Hausa, prompting the court to stand down the matter to secure an interpreter.

When proceedings resumed at about 2:18pm, all six defendants took their pleas and denied the allegations, returning not guilty pleas to all 13 counts.

The prosecution subsequently applied for their remand in DSS custody and urged the court to grant accelerated hearing of the case. Most defence counsel did not oppose the application, though the first defendant’s lawyer indicated an intention to file a bail application.

The trial judge ordered accelerated hearing, directed that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody with access to their lawyers, and adjourned the matter to April 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial.