Alleged Coup Case: Heavy Security as First Defendant Arrives Court

Security was significantly reinforced around the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday morning, April 22, 2026, as one of the defendants in the alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived ahead of his arraignment.

As of the time this report was filed, five other defendants were yet to arrive in court.
According to a report by The PUNCH, the defendant, Abdulkadir Sani, arrived early at the court premises, reportedly because he is the only one not currently in custody, unlike the others who are being held by authorities.
The Federal Government had, two days earlier, filed a 13-count charge against the defendants, bordering on alleged terrorism, conspiracy, and failure to disclose information related to a planned attempt to overthrow the government.
Those named in the charge include a retired Major-General, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; a retired Navy Captain, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; a police inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; Abdulkadir Sani; and former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, who remains at large.
In the charge, the prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired in 2025 in Abuja to commit acts of terrorism and to “levy war” against the Nigerian state, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Criminal Code.
They were also accused of failing to disclose intelligence about the alleged plot and not taking steps to prevent its execution despite having prior knowledge involving other alleged conspirators.
The defendants are expected to be arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where the charges will be formally read and their pleas taken.