FG Files 13-Count Charge Against Alleged Coup Plotters
The Federal Government has instituted a 13-count criminal 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 conspiracy to wage war against Nigeria and engage in acts of terrorism.
Those charged are retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. They are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Also named in the charge, but currently at large, is a 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 (SAN), outlines allegations ranging from treason and terrorism to failure to disclose security intelligence and involvement in 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.
They were further accused of having prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failing to inform the appropriate authorities. The charge states that the defendants did not promptly disclose the information to either the President or any law enforcement officer, nor did they take reasonable steps to prevent the alleged offence.
In addition to treason-related counts, the defendants face charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Prosecutors allege that they conspired to commit acts of terrorism aimed at destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Specifically, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were accused of attending meetings linked to the alleged plot in furtherance of a political ideology capable of undermining the country’s constitutional structure.
The prosecution also alleges that the defendants provided indirect support for terrorist activities and deliberately withheld intelligence that could have aided in preventing such acts.
Financial allegations form a significant part of the charge. Several defendants are accused of handling funds suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Bukar Goni is alleged to have retained ₦50 million linked to terrorism financing, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly held ₦2 million from a similar source. Zekeri Umoru is accused of accepting ₦10 million in cash outside the formal financial system and retaining an additional ₦8.8 million suspected to be illicit funds. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim allegedly took possession of ₦1 million believed to be proceeds of terrorism financing.
The case is expected to serve as a critical test of the Federal Government’s commitment to prosecuting threats to national security.
The charges stem from broader investigations into an alleged coup plot that gained public attention in late 2025. In October of that year, the Federal Government cancelled the ceremonial parade for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, a decision initially speculated to be linked to coup threats but officially denied by the Defence Headquarters.
Subsequently, authorities confirmed that several military officers had been arrested in connection with the alleged plot, with additional suspects declared at large. By January 2026, the Defence Headquarters acknowledged uncovering a plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following internal investigations.
Family members of the detained officers have since called for transparency, including public trials and improved access to the suspects. Protests and appeals for due process have continued, including demonstrations at the National Assembly in April demanding expedited judicial proceedings.
Proceedings in the case are set to commence with the arraignment scheduled for April 22.
By TopHeadlines