The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned a retired army general and five others before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged failed coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The six defendants pleaded not guilty to all 13 counts preferred against them during proceedings presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Those charged include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana and retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor.
Others are Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric based in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Following the defendants’ plea, Justice Abdulmalik ordered an accelerated hearing of the case. The court also fixed April 27 for the hearing of their bail applications.
Five of the defendants were produced in court by operatives of the State Security Service and were ordered to remain in custody pending the determination of their bail applications.
In contrast, Abdulkadir Sani, who had earlier been granted unconditional release by the court, appeared in court on his own.
Court proceedings, which commenced at about 1:40 p.m., drew significant attention as the high-profile case began.