The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against individuals accused of plotting a coup to remove President Bola Tinubu from office.
Those named in the charge include retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. A former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was also listed but is said to be at large.
The charge, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), outlines allegations ranging from treason and terrorism to failure to disclose intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
The government further alleged that the accused had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to notify authorities.
They were also accused of failing to act on intelligence and “did not use any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence”.
On terrorism-related counts, the defendants were accused of conspiracy under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, with the charge stating that they “conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism in the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were specifically accused of attending meetings connected to the alleged plot “in a bid to further a political ideology which may seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The charge also alleged that the defendants “knowingly and indirectly rendered support” for acts of terrorism and withheld intelligence that could have prevented such actions.
Financial allegations were also included, with Bukar Kashim Goni accused of retaining ₦50 million linked to terrorism financing, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly held ₦2 million from a similar source.
Zekeri Umoru was accused of accepting ₦10 million in cash outside formal financial channels and retaining an additional ₦8.8 million suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim was also alleged to have taken possession of ₦1 million linked to such activities.
The development follows earlier reports surrounding an alleged coup attempt, which the Defence Headquarters initially dismissed in connection with the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade in October 2025.
However, in January 2026, the military confirmed that an attempt to overthrow the government had been uncovered, with several personnel detained.
Families of the detained officers had recently appealed to President Tinubu to allow an open trial, while activist Omoyele Sowore also joined calls for access to the suspects.
