The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge against six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and destabilise Nigeria.
The suspects—retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani—are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Also named in the charge, but said to be at large, is former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
The charge, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, accuses the defendants of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
According to court documents, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state” with the aim of removing the President, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
The Federal Government further alleged that the accused had prior knowledge of a planned coup involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to notify appropriate authorities.
The charge stated that the defendants, despite being aware of the plot, did not inform either the President or relevant security agencies, nor did they take steps to prevent the alleged treasonable act.
Prosecutors also accused some of the defendants of participating in meetings aimed at advancing an agenda capable of undermining Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Specifically, Inspector Ibrahim and Umoru were alleged to have attended gatherings linked to the plot to promote an ideology capable of destabilising the country.
In addition, the suspects were accused of providing material and financial support for acts of terrorism, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
On the financial aspect, the Federal Government alleged that the defendants handled funds suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.
Bukar Goni was accused of retaining N50m linked to unlawful activities, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly held N2m from similar sources.
Umoru was said to have received N10m in cash outside formal financial channels and retained an additional N8.8m, while Inspector Ibrahim allegedly possessed N1m tied to the same offences.
The prosecution further claimed that the defendants deliberately withheld intelligence that could have helped prevent the alleged acts of terrorism.
The case is expected to test the government’s resolve to prosecute threats to national security amid heightened concerns over alleged coup activities.
The development follows a series of events dating back to October 2025, when authorities arrested several military officers over an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
Although the Defence Headquarters initially dismissed reports linking the incident to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade, it later confirmed in January 2026 that investigations uncovered a coup plan involving some military personnel.
The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, had stated that those implicated would face trial in accordance with military procedures.
Meanwhile, families of detained officers have repeatedly called for an open trial and improved access to their relatives, staging protests in Abuja, including at the National Assembly, to demand transparency and speedy prosecution.
The arraignment is expected to commence on Wednesday.
