FG slams 13-count treason charges on alleged coup plotters, arraignment set for Wednesday
The Federal Government has instituted a 13-count criminal charge against a group of individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, bringing the case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Among those named in the charge are a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and three other suspects.
The defendants include Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (retd), Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (retd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
They are expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
According to the charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, the accused persons face allegations ranging from treason and terrorism to failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering.
At the heart of the case is an allegation that the defendants conspired in 2025 to undermine the Nigerian state and wage war against it. Prosecutors claim the suspects acted together “to levy war against the state to overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under existing criminal laws.
The government further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving other individuals, including one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, but failed to alert authorities. They were accused of withholding critical information and not taking reasonable steps to prevent the alleged plot.
In addition to treason-related counts, the defendants are also facing charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. Prosecutors alleged that they conspired to commit acts of terrorism aimed at destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were specifically accused of attending meetings linked to the alleged plot, while all the defendants were said to have provided varying degrees of support to facilitate acts considered to be terrorism.
The charge sheet also includes allegations of financial crimes tied to terrorism financing. Bukar Kashim Goni was accused of retaining ₦50 million believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly held ₦2 million from a similar source.
Zekeri Umoru was accused of receiving ₦10 million in cash outside formal financial channels and retaining an additional ₦8.8 million suspected to be linked to terrorism financing. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim was also alleged to have taken possession of ₦1 million connected to the scheme.
All financial-related allegations were brought under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Also listed in the charge, but currently said to be at large, is former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
The case stems from developments that began in October 2025, when authorities cancelled a planned parade to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, sparking speculation about a possible coup attempt. Although military authorities initially denied any connection, the Defence Headquarters later confirmed in January 2026 that investigations had uncovered a plot involving some personnel.
Subsequent arrests of military officers and ongoing investigations intensified public attention, with families of detained suspects calling for an open trial and access to their relatives. Protests were also staged at the National Assembly in April, demanding transparency and a speedy judicial process.
The arraignment scheduled for Wednesday is expected to mark the beginning of formal court proceedings in what has become one of the most high-profile national security cases in recent times.
