FG Files Treason Charges Against Six Over Alleged Coup Plot
Fresh court filings by the Federal Government have brought into focus an alleged network accused of plotting to destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional order, with six individuals set to face a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and financial crimes.
The defendants—retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani—are scheduled for arraignment on April 22 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Also named in the charge, but currently at large, is former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
Court documents filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) allege that the accused conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” contrary to Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
The prosecution further stated that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to notify authorities. According to the charge, they “did not give information thereof with all reasonable despatch” to the President or relevant security agencies and “did not use any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence.”
Beyond treason, the charges extend to terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Prosecutors alleged that the defendants “conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism” and “knowingly and indirectly rendered support” for such acts.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were specifically accused of attending meetings linked to the alleged plot “in a bid to further a political ideology which may seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The charge also highlights alleged suppression of intelligence, stating that the defendants withheld information “which would be of material assistance in preventing the commission of the act of terrorism.”
Financial allegations form a significant part of the case. Bukar Goni is accused of retaining N50 million linked to terrorism financing, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly held N2 million from similar sources. Zekeri Umoru is accused of accepting N10 million in cash outside formal financial channels and retaining an additional N8.8 million suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim is also accused of possessing N1 million tied to such activities. These charges fall under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The case emerges against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny over alleged threats to national security. In October 2025, the Federal Government cancelled a planned parade for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary. Although speculation linked the decision to a coup plot, the Defence Headquarters publicly dismissed such claims.
Subsequent developments appeared to shift that position. Authorities confirmed on October 31, 2025, that 16 military officers had been arrested earlier that month over an alleged plot, with two others declared at large. By January 2026, the Defence Headquarters acknowledged that investigations had uncovered a plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, stated at the time that those implicated would face military judicial panels in accordance with established procedures.
Public pressure has since grown around the handling of the suspects. In March and April, families of detained officers staged protests in Abuja, including at the National Assembly, demanding open trials and access to their relatives.
Proceedings before the Federal High Court are expected to test the government’s prosecution of alleged national security threats, as the charges move from investigation to formal judicial scrutiny.