Olushola Omogbehin
The Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded the six alleged coup plotters in the custody of the Department of State Services after they were arraigned on a 13-count charge.
The sitting, which took place on Wednesday, commenced at about 1:46pm, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready and sought leave to have it read to the defendants.
But proceedings were stalled briefly after the third defendant told the court that his counsel was indisposed.
Counsel to the sixth defendant also said his client understood only Arabic and Hausa, leading the court to stand down the matter to secure an interpreter.
At about 2:18 pm, when the court resumed, all the six defendants took their pleas and denied the allegations, pleading not guilty to the 13 counts.
Sequel to the arraignment, the prosecution asked for their remand in DSS custody and appealed to the court to grant an accelerated hearing of the case, a request that was not opposed by most defence counsel.
The trial judge in his ruling ordered an accelerated hearing, by directing that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody with access to their lawyers.
The case was adjourned to April 27, 2026, for commencement of trial.
