Nigerian Federal Government has formally charged 6 people with terrorism and treason over an alleged 2025 coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
The six suspects in custody include, retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani. Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva is accused of helping conceal the plot but remains at large.
The charges were filed April 21, 2026 by Attorney-General & Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
There is 13 criminal counts including treason, terrorism, and terrorism financing filed on them with arraignment Scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, 2026. If found guilty of treason in Nigeria, officers face the death penalty.
Prosecutors say the suspects “conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the president of the Federal Republic.”
The Government on January announced it had foiled a coup attempt and several officers would stand trial.
No successful coup in Nigeria since 1999 Africa’s most populous nation had 5 coups in the 20th century but transitioned to democracy in 1999. This comes amid a surge of coups/attempted coups in West & Central Africa — Benin and Guinea-Bissau had attempts in late 2025.
