ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has officially filed a 13-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against several individuals, including high-ranking retired military officers and a former minister, over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The defendants are scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
High-Profile Defendants Named
The charge sheet, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, lists several prominent figures and security personnel:
-
Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (Rtd)
-
Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (Rtd)
-
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (A serving police officer)
-
Timipre Sylva (Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, currently declared at large)
-
Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani
Treason and Terrorism Allegations
The 13-count charge encompasses a range of severe offenses, including treason, terrorism, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing. The prosecution alleges that the defendants conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state to overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offense punishable under the Criminal Code.
Specific allegations in the charge sheet include:
-
Failure to Disclose Intelligence: The defendants are accused of having prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving a certain Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failing to alert the relevant authorities.
-
Terrorism Financing: Several defendants are linked to suspicious financial transactions. Bukar Kashim Goni allegedly retained ₦50 million suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing, while Zekeri Umoru was accused of accepting a ₦10 million cash payment without going through a financial institution.
-
Meetings with Terrorist Elements: Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru are specifically accused of participating in meetings tied to terrorist activities.
Background to the Plot
The filing of these charges follows months of speculation that began in October 2025, when the Federal Government abruptly cancelled the 65th Independence Day parade. While the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) initially dismissed rumors of a coup attempt, it confirmed in January 2026 that an investigation had indeed uncovered a plot involving certain personnel.
Today’s legal action marks the transition of the case from military investigation to a formal civilian trial, following protests by family members of the detained officers who demanded a transparent legal process in an open court.
The Attorney-General’s office has indicated that it is working with security agencies to apprehend Timipre Sylva and other suspects who remain at large to face the charges alongside the detained defendants.
