The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of six defendants in the custody of the Department of State Services over alleged involvement in a coup plot.
The defendants were arraigned on a 13-count charge bordering on terrorism, as the prosecution moved to commence proceedings against them.
At the resumed sitting, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), informed the court that the charge was ready and sought permission for it to be read to the accused persons.
The proceedings, however, suffered a brief setback after the third defendant told the court that his lawyer was unavailable due to ill health.
Further delay occurred when counsel to the sixth defendant disclosed that his client only understood Arabic and Hausa, prompting the court to stand down the case to allow for an interpreter.
When the court reconvened, the charges were read and all six defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations brought against them.
Following their pleas, the prosecution urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody and requested an accelerated hearing of the case.
Ruling on the application, the trial judge granted the request for accelerated hearing, ordered that the defendants be remanded in DSS custody with access to their lawyers, and adjourned the matter till April 27, 2026, for trial.
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