Sylva, accused of coup plot
The federal government is set to try seven of the detained suspects linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for concealment of treason, terrorism and money laundering.
The suspects are former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timpre Sylva; Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd); a retired Navy Captain, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim. Others are Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani. A 13-count charge was filed against them on Tuesday.
It was gathered that six of the alleged coup plotters, who were investigated by both the Nigerian military and the Department of State Services, were accused of terrorising the citizens, and plotting to sack a democratic government.
The charges filed against them border on treasonable felony, conspiracy to overthrow the government, conspiracy to commit terrorism and other offences related to security threats.
The military high command, through its former Director, Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, had on October 4, 2025, revealed that 16 officers were arrested and detained over undisclosed offences.
Gusau, a retired Brigadier-General, had simply said they were arrested and detained over issues that border on “indiscipline and breach of service regulations”.
The retired senior military officer also said, “Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.”
However, several weeks after the denial, reports uncovered that those detained were allegedly involved in a plot to overthrow the present government led by Tinubu.
It was also uncovered that the detainees were attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Amid outcry by the family members of the detainees, the process to arraign seven of them, already charged before a Federal High Court in Abuja, has commenced.
The families of the detained officers had protested at the National Assembly on Wednesday, April 1, demanding that justice be served. The protesters, comprising children, wives and relatives of the detainees, sought a speedy trial of the accused officials.
