A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of several suspects allegedly involved in a plot to overthrow the Nigerian government, sending them to the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
​The suspects, who were brought before Justice Binta Nyako amid heavy security, face charges bordering on treasonable felony and conspiracy to destabilize the democratic order.
​The prosecution team, representing the Federal Government, argued that the remand in DSS custody was necessary to facilitate the conclusion of ongoing investigations into what they described as a “sophisticated network of subversion.”
​”The evidence gathered so far points to a coordinated attempt to undermine national security and disrupt the peace of the federation,” the lead prosecutor told the court. “The nature of the charges necessitates that the defendants remain in a high-security facility while we prepare our full witness list.”
​Counsel for the defendants had initially prayed the court to grant their clients bail, citing their constitutional right to liberty and asserting that the charges were “politically motivated and lacking in concrete substance.”
​However, Justice Nyako declined the oral bail application, directing the defense to file a formal motion.
​”The gravity of the offenses alleged requires a formal application for bail to be considered,” the judge noted during the proceedings. “For the time being, the defendants shall be remanded in the custody of the DSS.”
​The court subsequently fixed May 14, 2026, for the commencement of the hearing on the substantive suit and the consideration of bail applications.
