On Friday, the Nigerian military set up a general court-martial to put 36 soldiers on trial for their alleged roles in a coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) set up the court-martial, which began at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, with a lot of security.
Because the case was so well-known, the session was held behind closed doors. Journalists, even those who had been invited ahead of time, were not allowed to enter.
It was learned that security guards also stopped people from using their phones to take pictures of the 36 defendants arriving. They were taken to the mess in an Army Headquarters Garrison bus around 8:53 a.m. The court-martial is likely to deal with a number of cases involving military personnel who are accused of being involved in the alleged plot. This is part of the military’s efforts to maintain discipline and uphold constitutional order.
The list of 36 officers who are being accused includes Brigadier General MA Sadiq (N/10321), Colonel MA Ma’aji (N/10668), Lieutenant Colonel IM Hussain (N/12225), Lieutenant Colonel M Almakura (N/12983), Lieutenant Colonel P Dangnap (N/13025), Lieutenant Colonel S Bappah (N/13036), Lieutenant Colonel AA Hayatu (N/13038), and Lieutenant Colonel SM Gana (N/13857). Other people are Wing Commander IU Yusuf (NAF/3117), Major MM Jiddah (N/13003), Major H Yusuf (N/13877), Major AD Dauda (N/14394), Major JM Ganaks (N/14363), Major D Yusuf (N/14753), and Major J Iliyasu (N/14837).
Major MA Usman (N/15404), Major A Mohammed (N/15769), Major II Idris (N/16185), Lieutenant Commander DB Abdullahi (NN/3289), Squadron Leader SB Adamu (NAF/3481), Squadron Leader NG Zuzu (NAF/3617), Captain G Binuga (N/16722), Captain I Bello (N/16266), Captain AA Yusuf (N/16724), Captain IU Zubair (N/17646), Captain ML Muhammad (N/18445), and Lieutenant SS Felix (N/18105) are also on the list.
The rest of the accused are Warrant Officer Nasiru Ibrahim (95NA/39/2281), Staff Sergeant Abdul Abdullahi (99NA/48/126), Sergeant Alhassan Zakari (97NA/44/4394), Sergeant Sanda Usman (03NA/54/5529), Sergeant Abubakar Ibrahim (06NA/58/3829), Corporal Momoh Audu (96NA/41/1592), Corporal Aliyu Ibrahim (10NA/65/7797), Lance Corporal Sambo Danladi (16NA/75/634), and Lance Corporal Nasiru Yushau (16NA/75/5221).
Sahara Reporters said that the convening order said, “the charges are to be served on the accused persons individually,” but it didn’t say what the charges were.
Naija News remembers that in January, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said that some military officers had been arrested for plotting a coup against President Tinubu, being disrespectful, and breaking service rules. Some of them are going to have to go to trial in front of military judicial panels.
Remember that on April 22, 2026, the federal government also brought six people, including two retired high-ranking military officers and a police inspector, before the Federal High Court in Abuja. They were accused of plotting to start a war against Nigeria and remove the President.
The defendants are being charged with 13 counts, including conspiracy, attempted treason, terrorism, failing to share security intelligence, financing terrorism, and money laundering.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation filed the charge on Monday, and Rotimi Oyedepo, the Director of Public Prosecutions, signed it.
The prosecution says that the defendants planned in 2025 to hurt the Nigerian state.
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