Six Suspects Plead Not Guilty to Treason in Alleged Nigerian Coup Plot

Six individuals, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector, pleaded not guilty to treason and terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday. The defendants are accused of conspiring to overthrow President Bola Tinubu as part of a broader plot to seize power in Nigeria. A seventh suspect, former Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva, remains at large.

The Details

The 13-count charge sheet, filed by Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, alleges that the defendants conspired 'to levy war against the state to overawe the president of the Federal Republic.' Among those charged are retired Maj-Gen Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Capt Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru—an electrician at the Presidential Villa—civilian Bukar Kashim Goni, and Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani.

Prosecutors contend that these six individuals had prior knowledge of a treasonable act led by Col Mohammed Alhassan Ma'aji but failed to alert the authorities. Col Ma'aji was previously arrested and is currently facing trial in a military court. In addition to treason, the defendants face charges of money laundering and the suppression of intelligence, with allegations that funds were exchanged to finance terrorism.

During the proceedings, defense lawyers raised concerns regarding the detention of their clients. Counsel stated that they had been unable to meet with the defendants since September 2025, suggesting the group had been held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for approximately seven months prior to their formal arraignment.

The court has ordered the six defendants to remain in DSS custody. Bail hearings have been scheduled for April 27. Under Nigerian law, a conviction for treason can lead to severe penalties, including life imprisonment.

Context

Tensions surrounding the alleged coup first surfaced on October 1, 2025, when the Nigerian government abruptly canceled its 65th Independence Anniversary military parade, citing security threats. While officials initially denied reports of a plot, the military later announced in January 2026 that 16 officers would face court-martial for attempting to overthrow the president. This period of instability prompted President Tinubu to reshuffle Nigeria's top military leadership.

Nigeria has maintained an unbroken streak of civilian rule since 1999, having suffered five military coups during the 20th century. The current legal proceedings underscore the fragility of this stability in the face of internal dissent.

This incident occurs within a wider regional trend of instability across West and Central Africa. Recent years have seen a surge in military takeovers, with binomial cases in Benin and Guinea-Bissau in late 2025. Experts attribute this wave of coups to a combination of security crises, disputed elections, youth discontent, and constitutional upheaval.

What's Next

The immediate focus will be the bail hearings on April 27, where the defense is expected to challenge the legality of the defendants' prolonged detention without trial. The outcome of these hearings will set the stage for a high-profile trial that could reveal the extent of the conspiracy's reach within the military and civil service.

Additionally, the government continues to search for Timipre Sylva, the former Bayelsa State Governor and Petroleum Minister. Sylva has previously denied any involvement in the plot after investigators ransacked his home in October 2025. His apprehension or continued evasion remains a critical point of interest for the prosecution.

As the cases of Col Ma'aji and the civilian co-conspirators move forward, the Nigerian government is likely to increase surveillance and vet military leadership more rigorously to prevent further attempts to disrupt the civilian administration.