By Seyi Odewale
The Federal Government will today arraign 13 alleged coup plotters before the Federal High Court in Abuja, following the filing of a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism and terror financing.
Those listed in the charge include a retired Major General, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; a former naval officer, Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (retd); Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; Abdulkadir Sani; and former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, who is reportedly at large.
The charge, filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alleges that the defendants conspired in 2025 to wage war against Nigeria and “overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under the Criminal Code.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons acted in concert with one another and with others still at large, including Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, identified as a central figure in the alleged plot.
Part of the charge reads: “That you… conspired with one another to levy war against the state… and thereby committed an offence.”
The Federal Government further alleged that some of the defendants failed to disclose intelligence about the planned actions despite having prior knowledge of activities linked to Ma’aji and his associates.
In one of the counts, the charge states: “Knowing that… intended to commit treason, [they] did not give information… to either the President… or a Peace Officer.”
The allegations also extend to terrorism-related offences, with the defendants accused of holding or participating in meetings connected to acts aimed at destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Sylva was specifically named in multiple counts bordering on conspiracy, support and failure to disclose information, with the charge sheet indicating that he remains “at large.”
Beyond the conspiracy claims, the prosecution detailed financial transactions allegedly linked to terrorism financing, accusing some defendants of retaining or receiving millions of naira, which they “reasonably ought to have known” were proceeds of unlawful activities.
The case revives earlier security concerns surrounding Colonel Ma’aji, whose activities had previously triggered investigations within military and intelligence circles.
At the time, senior military authorities had acknowledged internal red flags, pointing to “unusual alignments,” covert networks suspected of pursuing anti-state objectives, and the possible misuse of military expertise and access.
There were also indications that some individuals were under surveillance, with intelligence reports warning of “a dangerous dimension of internal collaboration” capable of aiding efforts to destabilise the country.
The inclusion of politically exposed persons and senior security figures in the current charge sheet reinforces concerns about possible insider involvement and the withholding of critical intelligence.
The arraignment is expected to test both the credibility of the allegations and the judicial system’s capacity to handle complex national security prosecutions.
