FG to Arraign Ex-Minister, Retired Officers Over Alleged Coup Plot

 

The Federal Government is set to arraign a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, alongside a retired Major General and five others before a Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The defendants are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and alleged failure to disclose intelligence linked to national security threats.

Those listed in the charge include retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, and three others — Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. Sylva is, however, said to be at large.

According to court documents filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the accused allegedly conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President,” an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.

The government further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned coup involving another officer but failed to notify authorities.

“They did not give information thereof with all reasonable despatch to either the President or a peace officer,” the charge stated.

Prosecutors also accused some of the defendants of attending meetings aimed at advancing a political agenda capable of destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional structure.

Beyond treason, the defendants are facing terrorism-related charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The Federal Government alleged that they “knowingly and indirectly rendered support” to facilitate acts of terror.

On the financial aspect, the charge detailed alleged links to terrorism financing, including claims that one defendant retained ₦50 million suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, while others were accused of handling millions of naira outside formal financial systems.

The defendants are expected to be arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

The case follows months of speculation over a possible coup plot, which first surfaced in October 2025 after the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade. While the military initially denied any such threat, authorities later confirmed arrests of several officers linked to the alleged plot.