A Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted written statements and video recordings obtained from six alleged coup plotters during military interrogation as evidence in their ongoing trial.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in her ruling, dismissed the defendants’ claims that the materials were obtained through torture, coercion or inducement, holding that the statements were made voluntarily.

The judge delivered the ruling after conducting a trial-within-trial, ordered on May 11, to determine the admissibility of the statements and video recordings presented by the prosecution.

She held that the defendants failed to establish that they were subjected to duress, describing their allegations of coercion as an afterthought.

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

They were arraigned on April 22 on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.

Following the ruling, the court admitted the written statements, video recordings and other related exhibits as part of the prosecution’s evidence.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until December 7 and 10 for continuation of trial.