Nigeria’s Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge against several individuals accused of plotting a coup to remove President Bola Tinubu from office.
The case, submitted at the Federal High Court in Abuja, names six suspects, including retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, alongside Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Also mentioned in the charge is former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is reportedly still at large.
According to prosecutors, the group is accused of conspiring in 2025 to overthrow the government an offence described as treason under Nigerian law.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, cover a wide range of allegations, including terrorism, failure to report security threats, and money laundering tied to terrorism financing.
The government claims the suspects were aware of a planned plot involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to inform authorities or take steps to stop it. Instead, they allegedly kept quiet despite knowing the potential risks.
Some of the defendants are also accused of attending meetings linked to the plot and supporting actions that could destabilise the country’s constitutional order. In particular, investigators say certain individuals were actively involved in discussions aimed at pushing a political agenda through unlawful means.
Beyond the alleged conspiracy, financial dealings are also under scrutiny. Prosecutors claim that some of the suspects handled funds believed to be connected to terrorism financing.
For instance, Bukar Goni is accused of retaining ₦50 million linked to such activities, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly held ₦2 million from similar sources.
Zekeri Umoru is said to have accepted ₦10 million in cash outside the formal banking system and kept an additional ₦8.8 million suspected to be tied to the same network.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, meanwhile, allegedly received ₦1 million connected to the case.
Authorities also allege that the group deliberately withheld intelligence that could have helped prevent the alleged plot, failing to pass on critical information to relevant agencies.
The case is expected to draw significant attention as it unfolds, given the serious nature of the charges and the high-profile individuals involved.
