Six people in Nigeria, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector, have been charged with treason for attempting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu in a coup last year. The charges were filed by the Attorney General at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the defendants are set to appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Wednesday. A seventh individual, former governor Timipre Sylva, has been named in the case but remains at large.
Rumors regarding the coup plot surfaced in October 2025, when the government unexpectedly canceled a military parade planned for Nigeria's 65th Independence Anniversary, citing security threats. Speculation soon linked the cancellation to a potential coup attempt. Although military officials denied these allegations, they later announced the forthcoming trial of 16 officers for attempting to overthrow the president.
The Attorney General’s charges, which also include terrorism and money laundering, are unclear if they are in addition to the military prosecutions.
The individuals charged include:
- Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major general
- Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain
- Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector
- Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa
- Bukar Kashim Goni, a civilian
- Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric.
According to court documents, the defendants conspired to wage war against the state to intimidate the president. The plot seemed to be led by Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma'aji, who, along with his accomplices, was arrested in connection to the coup attempt. The prosecution claims that the defendants suppressed intelligence that could have prevented terrorism and engaged in money-laundering to finance the coup.
In Nigeria, treason is regarded as one of the gravest offenses, punishable by severe penalties, including life imprisonment. The country has maintained a civilian government since 1999, with the military emphasizing its loyalty to civilian leadership.
Rumors regarding the coup plot surfaced in October 2025, when the government unexpectedly canceled a military parade planned for Nigeria's 65th Independence Anniversary, citing security threats. Speculation soon linked the cancellation to a potential coup attempt. Although military officials denied these allegations, they later announced the forthcoming trial of 16 officers for attempting to overthrow the president.
The Attorney General’s charges, which also include terrorism and money laundering, are unclear if they are in addition to the military prosecutions.
The individuals charged include:
- Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major general
- Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain
- Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector
- Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa
- Bukar Kashim Goni, a civilian
- Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric.
According to court documents, the defendants conspired to wage war against the state to intimidate the president. The plot seemed to be led by Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma'aji, who, along with his accomplices, was arrested in connection to the coup attempt. The prosecution claims that the defendants suppressed intelligence that could have prevented terrorism and engaged in money-laundering to finance the coup.
In Nigeria, treason is regarded as one of the gravest offenses, punishable by severe penalties, including life imprisonment. The country has maintained a civilian government since 1999, with the military emphasizing its loyalty to civilian leadership.
