…as trial begins May 12
The 36 officers arrested in connection with an alleged plan to oust President Bola Tinubu have been served copies of their charges personally, investigation by Saturday Telegraph has revealed. Findings further indicated that the accused officers are set to take their respective pleas on Tuesday, May 12 before the General Court Martial (GCM) sitting in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had inaugurated the GCM on April 24, about six months after the alleged coup plotters were rounded up at different locations by intelligence officers. Other accused persons, who are not covered by the Armed Forces Act (AFA), are standing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja on related offences.
Highly-placed sources, who spoke on the development, said that the accused officers will present the charges to their lawyers, who will then study them painstakingly in order to prepare their defences. “I can tell you without mincing words that all the accused officers have been served with their charges, paving way for trial proper.
“They were served in the course of the week, giving them enough time to prepare for their plea”, one of the impeccable sources hinted. Another insider source added: “The trial, which was fixed for yesterday, was moved to Tuesday, May 12, 2026, for some administrative reasons.
“In addition to the charges, those to be arraigned on the aforementioned date have also been served a summary of evidence, which is known in civil court as proof of evidence.” The Federal Government had filed a 13-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Listed as defendants are Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (AP/776323), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. The defendants are accused of waging war against the Nigerian state, with offences spanning from treason to terrorism-related acts.
The case traces back to October 2025, when the Federal Government abruptly cancelled the planned parade marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary scheduled for October 1. There was speculation linking the cancellation to a suspected coup attempt. However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) dismissed the claims, maintaining that the decision was unrelated to any security threat.
Subsequently, reports indicated that at least 16 military officers were arrested in early October over the alleged plot, while two others were declared at large. In January 2026, the DHQ formally confirmed the existence of a coup plot.
The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, disclosed that investigations conducted in line with military procedures had established the involvement of certain personnel. He added that the suspects would face trial before appropriate military judicial panels.
In March, relatives of detained officers called on President Tinubu to ensure the suspects were tried in open court, citing concerns over transparency and due process.
The pressure intensified in April when families staged a protest at the entrance of the National Assembly of Nigeria, demanding expedited proceedings and access to their detained relatives. The filing of charges at the Federal High Court signaled a shift from internal military proceedings to civilian prosecution.
