FG CHARGES COUP PLOTTERS WITH TREASON

 

Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Listed as defendants are Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (AP/776323), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.

The defendants are accused of waging war against the Nigerian state, with offences spanning from treason to terrorism-related acts.

The case traces back to October 2025, when the Federal Government abruptly cancelled the planned parade marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary scheduled for October 1.

There was speculation linking the cancellation to a suspected coup attempt.

However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) dismissed the claims, maintaining that the decision was unrelated to any security threat.

Subsequently, reports indicated that at least 16 military officers were arrested in early October over the alleged plot, while two others were declared at large.

In January 2026, the DHQ formally confirmed the existence of a coup plot. The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, disclosed that investigations conducted in line with military procedures had established the involvement of certain personnel.

He added that the suspects would face trial before appropriate military judicial panels.

In March, relatives of detained officers called on President Tinubu to ensure the suspects were tried in open court, citing concerns over transparency and due process.