On Friday, the Nigerian military set up a general court-martial to try 36 soldiers who are accused of being part of a 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 high-profile, the session was held behind closed doors. Journalists, including accredited defense correspondents who had been invited ahead of time, were not allowed to enter the venue.
It was learned that security guards also didn’t let people use their phones to record the arrival of the 36 defendants, who were brought to the mess in an Army Headquarters Garrison bus at about 8:53 a.m. The court-martial is likely to handle many cases involving people who are accused of being involved in the alleged plot. This is part of the military’s efforts to keep order and discipline.
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) are among the 36 officers who are being investigated. Others are 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).
Also on the list are 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).
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 did not 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 rude, and breaking service rules. Some of them will have to go to trial in front of military judicial panels.
Remember that on April 22, 2026, the federal government brought six people, including two retired senior military officers and a current police inspector, to the Federal High Court in Abuja. They were accused of plotting to wage war against Nigeria and remove the President.
The defendants are facing 13 charges, 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. It was signed by Rotimi Oyedepo, the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The prosecution says that the defendants planned to hurt the Nigerian state in 2025.
