Six people in Nigeria, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector, have been charged with treason for attempting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu in a coup last year.
The charges were filed by the Attorney General at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the defendants are set to appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Wednesday.
A seventh individual, former governor and oil minister Timipre Sylva, was named but remains at large.
Rumors of the coup plot first surfaced in October 2025 when the government abruptly canceled a planned military parade to mark Nigeria's 65th Independence Anniversary.
Officials cited security threats but speculation linked the decision to an impending coup. The military denied these allegations, but in January, they announced that 16 officers would face trial for attempting to oust the president.
It remains unclear if the current charges, which also include terrorism and money laundering, are in addition to the military prosecutions.
The defendants named in the Attorney General's case 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
The charge sheet claims the six conspired to levy war against the state to intimidate the president.
Leading the alleged coup plot was Col Mohammed Alhassan Ma'aji, who was arrested alongside accomplices. Prosecutors allege these individuals had prior knowledge of his treasonable acts but failed to alert authorities.
The case also involves serious allegations, including money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
Treason in Nigeria is subject to severe penalties, including life imprisonment. Since 1999, Nigeria has maintained a period of unbroken civilian rule, with military forces publicly reaffirming their loyalty to democracy.
