FG Files 13-Count Charge Against Alleged Coup Plotters

By Abah Margaret

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, over an alleged plot to wage war against Nigeria and carry out acts of terrorism.

The defendants—retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani—are expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

Also listed in the charge, but currently at large, is a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

The charge, filed on Monday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), includes allegations of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security 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 Federal 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 inform the appropriate authorities.

“Knowing that a treasonable act was intended to be committed, they did not give information thereof with all reasonable dispatch to either the President or a peace officer,” the charge stated.

They were also accused of failing to take preventive measures to stop the alleged plot.

Beyond treason, the defendants are facing terrorism-related charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Prosecutors claim they conspired to commit acts capable of destabilising the constitutional structure of Nigeria.

Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were specifically accused of attending meetings linked to the alleged plot in furtherance of a political ideology considered capable of undermining national stability.

The charge further alleged that the defendants knowingly provided support to facilitate acts of terrorism and deliberately withheld intelligence that could have helped prevent such acts.

On the financial aspect, several of the accused are facing charges related to terrorism financing under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Bukar Kashim Goni allegedly retained N50 million believed to be proceeds of terrorism financing, while Abdulkadir Sani is accused of holding N2 million from a similar source.

Zekeri Umoru allegedly received N10 million in cash outside formal financial channels and retained an additional N8.8 million suspected to be linked to terrorism financing. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim is also accused of possessing N1 million connected to the same offence.

The case is expected to test the Federal Government’s resolve to prosecute alleged threats to national security as proceedings commence at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Background

In October 2025, the Federal Government cancelled the ceremonial parade scheduled to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary on October 1. While initial reports linked the decision to an alleged coup plot, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the claims.

Subsequently, authorities confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers in connection with the alleged plot, with two others declared at large.

In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters officially confirmed the existence of a plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, stated that investigations had uncovered the involvement of some military personnel.

He added that those implicated would face trial before appropriate military judicial panels.

In March, families of the detained officers appealed to President Tinubu to ensure a transparent and open trial. The calls intensified in April, as relatives staged a protest at the National Assembly, demanding speedy trials and improved access to those in custody.