The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against a group of individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
Those named in the charge include a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and three other suspects. The defendants are accused of waging war against the Nigerian state, with charges bordering on treason, terrorism, and related offences.
The development follows months of investigations into an alleged coup plot that first came to public attention in late 2025. Speculation intensified in October after the Federal Government abruptly cancelled a planned parade to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary on October 1, triggering reports that the decision was linked to security concerns.
At the time, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) dismissed any connection between the parade’s cancellation and coup allegations. However, subsequent developments appeared to confirm that authorities were probing a serious internal security threat.
Reports later indicated that several military officers were arrested in early October 2025 in connection with the alleged plot, while a number of suspects were declared at large. In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that investigations had uncovered evidence of a plan to overthrow the government, implicating some serving personnel.
According to the DHQ, the probe was conducted in line with military procedures, with assurances that those involved would face appropriate judicial processes.
The case has also drawn public attention from families of detained officers, who have repeatedly called for transparency and due process. In March 2026, relatives of the suspects appealed to the President to ensure an open trial, expressing concerns over prolonged detention and limited access to the accused.
The demands escalated in April when family members staged a protest at the entrance of the National Assembly in Abuja, urging authorities to expedite the legal process and grant them access to their detained relatives.
With the filing of formal charges, the case is now set to proceed before the Federal High Court, where the defendants are expected to face trial.
Legal analysts say the proceedings could become one of the most significant national security cases in recent years, as authorities seek to establish the full scope of the alleged plot and hold those responsible accountable under the law.
