The Nigerian government has filed a 13-count charge against six high-ranking individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The defendants—who include retired Major General Mohammed Gana and retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor—are scheduled to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday. They face grave accusations of treason, terrorism, and money laundering linked to a plan to “levy war” against the Nigerian state.

Notably, the charge sheet also lists Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, as an accomplice who is currently at large.

A Conspiracy of Silence

The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), alleges that the group conspired in 2025 to overpower the President. Beyond the physical act of plotting, the government’s case rests heavily on a “failure to act.”

Key Allegations:

• Treason: Accusations of a direct plot to “levy war” to overthrow the constitutional government.
• Withholding Intelligence: Officials claim the defendants knew of a treasonable act involving a Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji but failed to alert the President or security agencies.
• Terrorism Financing: Several defendants are accused of handling large sums of “tainted” cash—ranging from 1m to 50m Naira—suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.

Analysis: The Shadow of October

This trial is the culmination of a tense period that began in late 2025. Many in Abuja will remember the sudden cancellation of the 65th Independence Anniversary parade last October—a move the government now appears to be linking to this alleged plot. While the Defence Headquarters initially downplayed “coup” rumours, the subsequent arrest of 16 military personnel in January 2026 confirmed that a serious threat had been detected.

The inclusion of a former cabinet minister and a serving police inspector suggests the government believes the “ideological” roots of this plot went beyond the barracks. For President Tinubu, this trial is a high-stakes demonstration of civilian control over the military. However, with families of the accused already protesting for an “open and fair” trial, the government will be under intense international scrutiny to ensure that these proceedings do not look like a political purge.

Evidence of ‘Political Ideology’

According to the charge sheet, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru allegedly attended meetings designed to “further a political ideology” aimed at destabilising the country’s constitutional structure.

The financial aspect of the case is equally detailed, with investigators tracing millions of Naira in cash payments that bypassed traditional financial institutions. Bukar Kashim Goni is alleged to have indirectly retained 50m Naira ($35,000) linked to the scheme.

The case, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, is expected to be one of the most significant national security trials in Nigeria’s recent history.