RismadarVoice Reporters, April 25, 2026
The Nigerian military has inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 16 officers accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot, formally commencing proceedings in a case that has drawn significant attention within security and legal circles.
The accused officers were escorted under heavy security to the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, the venue of the sitting, arriving at about 8:53 a.m. on April 24, 2026.
Proceedings began behind closed doors, with journalists denied access to the courtroom. However, several civilian lawyers were seen arriving at the venue ahead of the inauguration, indicating that the defendants are being represented by legal counsel.
The court-martial marks the start of the military’s internal judicial process following months of investigations into the alleged plot.
The case dates back to October 2025, when about 16 serving military personnel comprising both senior and junior officers were arrested over alleged acts of indiscipline. Subsequent investigations by military authorities reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that some of the officers had cases to answer in connection with an alleged attempt to overthrow Nigeria’s constitutional government.
This development led to the decision to subject the officers to trial before a General Court Martial, in line with military justice procedures.
The outcome of the trial is expected to have far-reaching implications for discipline and accountability within the armed forces.
The court ordered their remand in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and fixed April 27 for commencement of an accelerated hearing.
Although Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa, was mentioned in the charge, he is said to be at large.
THE ALLEGED PLOT
On September 29, 2025, the federal government announced the cancellation of a parade earlier scheduled to celebrate the country’s 65th independence anniversary on October 1.
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Days later, there were reports that the cancellation of the independence anniversary event was linked to an alleged coup attempt.
However, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) dismissed the reports, insisting that the cancellation had no links to the alleged coup attempt.
On October 31, 2025, information had it that 16 military officers were arrested in the first week of the month over the alleged coup attempt, while two other officers were on the run.
In January 2026, the DHQ confirmed that there was a plot to overthrow Tinubu.
Samaila Uba, the DHQ director of defence information, said investigations conducted in line with established military procedures found some personnel involved in a coup plot.
He said the officers would be arraigned before relevant military judicial panels.
In March, family members of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot appealed to Tinubu to allow the suspects to be tried in an open court.
During a news conference in Abuja, wives and other family members of the detained officers also requested access to the alleged coup masterminds.
Earlier in April, families of the detained military officers protested at the entrance of the national assembly, demanding a speedy trial and access to their relatives.
