Nigeria charges six military officers over alleged coup plot

Nigeria’s federal government has filed treason and terrorism charges against six defendants over an alleged coup plot, moving the case from military detention into court.

The 13-count charge was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on April 21, according to multiple reports. AP said the defendants include a retired major general and a serving police inspector, and that the suspects are in custody.

The charges allege a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. Punch reported that the Defence Headquarters had previously said investigations uncovered the alleged plot, and earlier military statements in January referred to an investigation and possible trials.

allAfrica’s account named retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana among those charged and said former Bayelsa governor Timpre Sylva is at large. AP and other coverage described six people charged in the case.

What happens next

The next procedural step is expected to be arraignment in Abuja. It is not yet clear whether prosecutors will release the full charge sheet or make further changes to the list of defendants.

The filing marks a sharper and more formal stage in a case that has been building for months inside Nigeria’s security establishment.