BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—-The accused persons in the ongoing proceedings in Abuja have denied all 13 charges filed against them.
After their plea, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, asked the court to order that they be held in the custody of the Department of State Services and urged that the matter be heard without delay.
However, counsel to the first accused, Mohammed Ndayako, requested guarantees that they would be allowed adequate access to their clients while they remain in detention.
In reply, the Attorney-General assured the court that the defendants’ rights would be upheld, emphasizing that there had been no previous issues concerning access.
He further noted that everyone involved agrees on the importance of a speedy trial.
A few days earlier, the Federal Government had fixed a date for the trial of those accused of plotting a coup, which investigators say involved plans for a violent takeover of government in October 2025.
Among those implicated is a former Governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of Petroleum Affairs, Timipre Sylva, who is currently on the run. The suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in the planned coup.
The coming days, along with witness accounts, are expected to provide greater clarity on what is considered one of the most disturbing incidents in recent times.
