Alleged Coup Plot: FG Files 13-Count Charge Against Ex-Military Officers, Others

 

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against six individuals accused of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

Those named in the charge include retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector of Police 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 said to be at large is former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

The case was filed on Monday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

Allegations

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The alleged offence is said to be punishable under provisions of the Criminal Code.

The prosecution also alleges that the defendants had prior knowledge of an alleged treasonable plan involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others, but failed to report it to security authorities.

It states that they did not alert the President or any security officer “with all reasonable despatch” and failed to take steps to prevent the alleged offence.

Terrorism-related charges

The defendants also face charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Prosecutors allege they conspired to commit acts described as terrorism in Nigeria and attended meetings linked to efforts to advance a political objective capable of destabilising the country’s constitutional order.

Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru are specifically accused of participating in such meetings.

The charge further states that some of the accused knowingly provided support that allegedly facilitated acts of terrorism.

Failure to disclose intelligence

The Federal Government also alleges that the defendants withheld information that could have helped prevent the alleged offences.

It claims they had access to material intelligence but failed to disclose it to relevant authorities “as soon as practicable.”

Financial allegations

Several of the accused are also charged under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, over alleged handling of funds linked to terrorism financing.

Bukar Goni is accused of retaining N50 million believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity. Abdulkadir Sani is alleged to have retained N2 million from similar sources.

Zekeri Umoru is accused of receiving N10 million in cash outside a financial institution and retaining an additional N8.8 million suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.

Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim is also alleged to have taken possession of N1 million linked to terrorism financing.

Court proceedings

The allegations have not yet been tested in court. The defendants are expected to enter their pleas when the case comes up for arraignment on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Federal Government says the prosecution forms part of efforts to address threats to national security and uphold the rule of law.