Court Admits FG’s Written Statements, Video Evidence Against Six Alleged Coup Plotters
The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted statements and video recordings made by six alleged coup plotters during military interrogation as evidence in their trial for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the defendants’ objections, ruling that they failed to provide evidence that the statements and recordings were obtained through torture, coercion or inducement.
In her ruling after a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, the judge upheld the Federal Government’s argument that the defendants voluntarily made the statements and participated in the video recordings.
Justice Abdulmalik described the allegations of duress as an afterthought, saying they were unbelievable.
She consequently admitted the statements and video recordings as exhibits against the defendants.
The six defendants are retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, arraigned them on April 22 on a 13-count charge.
They are accused of offences including treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
The court fixed December 7 for the continuation of the trial.
