The Federal Government has formally initiated a high-stakes legal battle against six individuals accused of orchestrating a violent plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
A 13-count charge was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, targeting a group that includes retired Major General Mohammed Gana and retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, alongside a serving police inspector and three others.
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is also named in the documents but is currently reported to be at large.
The prosecution, led by the Office of the Attorney-General, alleged that the defendants conspired throughout 2025 to levy war against the state with the explicit goal of overpowering the presidency.
Beyond the central charge of treason, the group faces heavy accusations under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.
These include claims that they provided material support for terror acts, attended clandestine meetings to advance a destabilizing political ideology, and suppressed critical security intelligence that could have assisted authorities in preventing the conspiracy.
Financial misconduct linked to the alleged insurrection forms a significant pillar of the government’s case.
Court documents reveal a trail of suspicious transactions, including allegations that Bukar Kashim Goni indirectly retained N50 million tied to terrorism financing.
Other defendants are accused of accepting large cash payments outside of formal financial institutions, including a 10 million Naira sum allegedly handled by Zekeri Umoru.
This legal escalation provides clarity on a period of intense national uncertainty that began in October 2025. At that time, the government’s abrupt cancellation of the 65th Independence Anniversary parade sparked widespread rumors of a coup, which the Defence Headquarters initially denied.
However, by January 2026, military officials confirmed that investigations into personnel involvement were underway.
The transition of this case to a civilian court follows months of public pressure from the families of the detained officers, who staged protests at the National Assembly demanding a transparent trial in open court.
The arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
