The General Court Martial (GCM) convened to try a total of 36 serving officers over allegations bordering on a failed plan to oust President Bola Tinubu, has fixed Friday, May 8 for commencement of trial, New Telegraph’s investigation has revealed.
According to insider sources, the accused officers will be arraigned on the said date, with each expected to make his “plea”, signalling commencement of trial. New Telegraph reports that the GCM was inaugurated last Friday at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, following the issuance of the appropriate Convening Order by the Defence Headquarters.
The Order, according to information available to this platform, was signed by the Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison, Major General Mike Alechenu According to one of the sources, who spoke in confidence, the accused persons will be served with their charges personally, as required by law.
“Between the date of the inauguration of the GCM and May 8th 2026, the accused officers would have been served with their charges personally, as the law prescribes,” the source disclosed “On the day of arraignment they are expected to take/enter their respective pleas of ‘guilty’, or ‘not guilty’,” another source spoke in a similar vein.
Reports of the alleged coup plot “rent the air” sometime in October last year, but was only confirmed in January, in a statement released by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN). Also recall that the inauguration happened 48 hours after a “component” of the alleged coup plotters, not captured under the Armed Forces Act (AFA), was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The DHQ confirmed the inauguration of the court in a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Samaila Uba. It read thus: “The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has today 24 April 2026, inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 36 serving military personnel over alleged mutiny, aimed at overthrowing the government of the day.
“This is in furtherance of the DHQ’s statement issued on 26 January 2026 which dwelled on the subject. “The inauguration marks a significant step in reinforcing discipline, accountability and the commitment of the Armed Forces to safeguarding national integrity and constituted authority. litical commentary.
The ruling party also used the opportunity to criticise opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing them of internal disarray, poor leadership, and failure to present a credible alternative vision for Nigeria.
APC alleged that internal crises within these parties, including disputes over “Proceedings of the court will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness, impartiality and strict adherence to due process guaranteeing that justice will be served without fear or favour. “All cases will be addressed within extant legal frameworks of the military justice system.
“The DHQ remains resolute in upholding professionalism, discipline and the rule of law while ensuring that the rights of all personnel are respected and the tenets of fair hearing upheld”.
