Military sets up court-martial for 36 over alleged coup plot

T The Nigerian military has constituted a court-martial to try 36 personnel accused of plotting to overthrow the government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The military panel was inaugurated on Friday at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, under heavy security presence, with proceedings held behind closed doors.

Access to the venue was restricted as journalists were barred, while security operatives prohibited the use of mobile phones during the movement of the accused. The suspects were conveyed in a bus belonging to the Army Headquarters Garrison.

Separately, the federal government, through the office of the attorney-general of the federation, has commenced prosecution of six other suspects linked to the alleged coup attempt. The defendants — comprising a retired major-general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and civilians — were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a 13-count charge.

The court ordered their remand in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and adjourned proceedings to April 27 for accelerated hearing. Timipre Sylva, who was named in the charge, is reportedly at large.

How the plot unfolded

The controversy dates back to September 29, 2025, when the federal government abruptly cancelled a planned parade for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration.

The move triggered speculation of a possible coup attempt, though the Defence Headquarters denied any connection between the cancellation and such claims.

In October 2025, reports emerged that several military officers had been arrested over the alleged plot, with some initially unaccounted for.

By January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that investigations had uncovered a plot against the Tinubu administration. Samaila Uba stated that those implicated would be tried in line with established military procedures.

In the months that followed, families of detained officers repeatedly called for transparency, urging authorities to conduct the trial in the open and grant them access to the suspects.

The agitation culminated in a protest at the National Assembly earlier in April, where relatives demanded a speedy trial and improved access to their detained family members.