BREAKING: FG hits coup plotters with 13 charges!

In a significant move that has raised eyebrows across the nation, the federal government has brought forth a staggering 13-count charge against six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a currently serving police inspector. The charges are linked to an alleged conspiracy to incite war against Nigeria and engage in acts of terrorism that threaten the safety and stability of the nation. The defendants in this highly publicized case include retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, alongside three other individuals: Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.

They are set to appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in Abuja on Wednesday, April 22, as the nation watches closely to see how this legal drama unfolds. Adding a layer of intrigue, the charges also name a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is reported to be evading arrest and remains at large.

The charges were meticulously filed on Monday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and include severe allegations ranging from treason to terrorism, alongside serious accusations of failing to disclose crucial security intelligence and money laundering related to the funding of terrorism. This elaborate indictment asserts that the defendants conspired as early as 2025 with the explicit objective of waging war against the state to unseat the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Such treasonous actions fall under the severe penalties outlined in Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code, which underscores the government’s intent to address threats to national security with the utmost seriousness. In a gripping twist, the prosecution claims that the defendants were aware of a treasonous plot involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to inform the authorities in a timely manner.

According to the charges, they “did not report crucial intelligence that would have allowed the government to take preventive action,” effectively jeopardizing national security. Moreover, these individuals are facing serious terrorism-related accusations as outlined in the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, for allegedly conspiring to commit acts of terrorism within the borders of Nigeria.

The involvement of Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru has been highlighted specifically, with allegations that they attended strategic meetings centered around this purported plot, which officials argue threatens to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional integrity. The government is not just focusing on acts of treason; the charges extend into the financial realm as well.

Multiple defendants are reportedly entangled in money laundering operations associated with the financing of terrorism. Notably, Bukar Kashim Goni is accused of retaining a staggering sum of N50,000,000, part of which is alleged to be connected to terrorism financing, while Abdulkadir Sani is said to have kept N2 million from a similar source. Zekeri Umoru’s alleged acceptance of a cash payment of N10,000,000 without using a financial institution raises additional alarms. Furthermore, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim is accused of possessing N1,000,000 linked to the proceeds of terrorism financing. The financial dimensions of this case illustrate a deeply concerning web of alleged corruption and treachery that threatens the fabric of national security.

As proceedings kick off in Abuja, this case will undoubtedly test the federal government’s commitment to tackling perceived threats to national security head-on.

Flashing back to events from October 2025, the hasty cancellation of a ceremonial parade intended to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary sent shockwaves through the public, fueling rampant speculation around potential coup attempts. While the defense headquarters promptly dismissed such rumors, asserting that the parade cancellation was unrelated to any coup plot, it did little to quell the tension.

In the days following the announcement, reports confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers, with several others identified as fugitives.

The gravity of the situation escalated in January 2026 when the defense headquarters admitted that there was indeed a plotted attempt to dethrone President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, revealing the extensive investigations that implicated military personnel in this alarming conspiracy.

As family members of the detained officers sought justice, they openly cried out for transparency, pushing for a public trial for their loved ones, whom they believe have been wrongfully accused. Protests erupted in April, demanding not only a swift judicial process but also improved access to their relatives, all under the backdrop of a legal battle that stands to redefine how Nigeria responds to internal security threats.

Stay tuned as this story develops and as we closely follow the proceedings that could shape the future of Nigeria’s national security landscape!