A Federal High Court has granted an application by the Federal Government to protect the identity of a key prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of six persons accused of plotting a coup.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order on Wednesday after hearing submissions from both prosecution and defence counsel in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026.
The defendants are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. They are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and alleged money laundering linked to terrorism financing. All six defendants pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on April 22.
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was also listed as being at large in connection with the case.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, three witnesses from Jaiz Bank, SunTrust Bank, and Providus Bank testified and submitted documents obtained through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
When a fourth witness was called, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo requested protective measures, stating that the witness is a serving military officer whose public identification could endanger his safety.
Although defence lawyers did not oppose limited protection, they raised concerns over fair hearing and argued that complete anonymity could affect their ability to challenge the witness’s credibility.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held that the terrorism-related nature of part of the charges justified the protective order. She directed that the witness’s identity must not appear in court records accessible to the parties or the public.
The matter was briefly adjourned to allow a protective screen to be installed before the witness testified.
