Ruptly
"A treason trial opened amid tight security on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where six men accused of involvement in a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu face charges of treason, terrorism and money laundering. The six men, who include retired senior members of the armed services, were reportedly identified by the charge sheet as Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani. Footage shows the defendants briefly interacting with relatives outside the court complex, as security forces maintained strict control of the area and restricted public access. The accused can be seen arriving in a prison transport bus before being escorted into the courthouse by armed officers. Speaking inside the court, the wife of one of the accused, Tina Umoru, described the impact of the arrest on her family. “I never saw him since last year October. He was only 30 on Monday,” she said. “Yesterday he called me and said, ‘Honey, they will take me to court.’ I keep calling him… I just want my husband back,” she added amid tears. Reports indicate the six men pleaded not guilty to the charges, adding that a seventh suspect is still at large, named as former governor and oil minister Timipre Sylva, while Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma'aji has been named by local media as the 'mastermind' of the alleged coup. The Nigerian military is also reported to be bringing proceedings against several officers connected to the alleged plot. Allegations of a coup plot surfaced in October, when a military parade on the occasion of the country's 65th anniversary of independence on October 1 was cancelled at the last minute. Following this, President Tinubu replaced several of the country's military top brass, while 16 officers were arrested. The case comes amid heightened political and security sensitivity in Nigeria, where authorities have repeatedly warned of threats to national stability and potential attempts to undermine the government. The trial will reportedly resume on April 27."
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