Coup Plot Trial: Judge Rejects Defendants Torture Claims, Admits Interrogation Videos

A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted statements and interrogation video recordings as evidence in the ongoing trial of six individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Thursday after determining that the defendants failed to establish their claims that their confessional statements were obtained through torture, inducement or coercion.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the defendants had challenged the admissibility of the statements, arguing that they were not made voluntarily. Their objections led the court to order a trial-within-trial on May 11, 2026, to determine whether the confessions were obtained under duress.

However, in her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held that there was no credible evidence showing that the defendants had been forced or pressured into making the statements. She reportedly described their allegations as an afterthought and ruled that they had failed to substantiate their claims.

Consequently, the court admitted the statements and interrogation videos as exhibits. The recordings were tendered by the prosecution’s fourth witness, a military officer identified by the codename AAA.

The case involves six defendants: retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.

The Federal Government arraigned the defendants on April 22, 2026, on 13 counts bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security information and money laundering allegedly connected to terrorism financing.

The prosecution accused them of conspiring to wage war against the Nigerian state with the intention of intimidating or overpowering the President.

According to the charge sheet, Goni allegedly retained ₦50 million linked to terrorism financing, while Sani and Ibrahim were accused of holding ₦2 million and ₦1 million respectively.

Umoru was also accused of receiving ₦10 million in cash outside the formal banking system and possessing an additional ₦8.8 million suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing. Ibrahim and Umoru were further alleged to have participated in meetings connected to the purported plot.

Public speculation about an alleged coup attempt intensified after the Federal Government cancelled the October 1, 2025, Independence Day parade. Although the Defence Headquarters initially dismissed reports of a coup plot, it later confirmed in January 2026 that investigations had uncovered an alleged plan involving some military personnel.

Meanwhile, families of the detained officers have staged protests and held press conferences, demanding transparent proceedings and access to their relatives.

The court adjourned the case until December 7 and 10, 2026, for continuation of the trial. The defendants remain accused persons, and the allegations against them have yet to be determined by the court.