“NO BAIL, NO DELAY”: COURT RAMPS UP TINUBU COUP TRIAL, SIX PLOT SUSPECTS LOCKED IN DSS CUSTODY
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–JUSTICE Abdulmalik orders “rapid-fire” 4-day hearing from April 29, tells defence “trial comes before bail” as AG says witnesses ready.
Key Issues:
– Speedy Trial Ordered for Coup Suspects: _”A Federal High Court on Monday ordered a speedy trial for six people accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu, with the judge telling defence lawyers: trial comes before bail.”_
– Six Remanded with DSS: _”Court remands six alleged coup plot suspects in DSS custody”_
– Four Dates Set for Blitz Trial: _”Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Abuja Division granted the prosecution’s push for accelerated hearing and set four rapid-fire dates — April 29, April 30, May 4, and May 5 — for trial and bail arguments.”_
– Prosecution Ready, Defence Not: _”Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, told the court the state’s witnesses are ready and waiting.”_ _”The defence wasn’t.”_
– Judge Rejects Bail-First Move: _”Mohammed Ilayepo, counsel to the first defendant, tried to argue bail first.”_ _”Justice Abdulmalik shut it down.”_ _”The trial would commence before any bail applications are considered, she ruled.”_
– Defence Flags Complexity, Short Notice: _”Lawyers for the second, third, and sixth defendants — Paul Erokoro, A.I. Yeru, and N.S. Diri — pushed back, citing short notice and a ‘complex’ case.”_
– Court Forces Agreement on Dates: _”The judge told all counsel to agree on dates for a speedy trial anyway.”_ _”They did. The clock starts April 29.”_
The six defendants face allegations of plotting to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
Details of the alleged plot were not read in open court Monday.
Speedy trial provisions in treason cases allow courts to prioritise national security matters and limit delays
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