In brief
Six individuals, including a retired major general and a police inspector, have been charged with treason in Nigeria for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu during a coup attempt last year. The charges, which also include terrorism and money laundering, were filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The defendants are set to appear in court soon, with a seventh individual still at large. This comes after rumors of a coup surfaced when the government cancelled a military parade amid reported security threats.
In a significant legal development, six individuals in Nigeria have been charged with treason for their alleged involvement in a coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu. The charges were formally filed by the Attorney General at the Federal High Court in Abuja and will see the defendants appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The individuals charged include:
- Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major general
- Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain
- Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector
- Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa
- Bukar Kashim Goni, a civilian
- Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric
A seventh individual, former governor Timipre Sylva, is reportedly still at large. The case stems from allegations that the group conspired to levy war against the state to oust the president.
The coup plot rumors first emerged in October 2025 after the Nigerian government abruptly cancelled a military parade that was intended to celebrate the country's 65th Independence Anniversary. Initially, officials cited security threats for the cancellation, but speculation grew that it was connected to potential coup activities.
While the military has denied any such allegations, January reports indicated that 16 officers were to face trial in a military court for attempted ouster of the president. The current treason charges in the Federal High Court also include accusations of terrorist activities and money laundering, particularly related to financing terrorism.
Under Nigerian law, treason carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment, highlighting the seriousness of the charges against those involved. Nigeria has maintained an uninterrupted period of civilian governance since 1999, making these allegations particularly alarming in the context of Nigerian democracy.
