FG Takes Action On Coup Plotters
The Federal Government has filed a 13-count case before the Federal High Court in Abuja against six persons over an alleged plan to overthrow the government and carry out acts linked to terrorism.
The trial is set to begin on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Those named in the case include Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired Major General; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired Naval Captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a serving police inspector; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani. A former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was also listed but is currently on the run.
The charges were filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation through the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The government accused the defendants of crimes such as treason, terrorism, failure to report security threats, and handling funds linked to unlawful activities.
According to the case, the accused persons were said to have worked together in 2025 with the aim of weakening the Nigerian government. Authorities claimed they were involved in a plan that could challenge the authority of the President.
The government also said the defendants had prior knowledge of a plot involving another military officer and others but failed to inform the authorities. They were further accused of not taking steps to stop the plan.
Some of the defendants were also linked to meetings connected to activities that could affect the country’s stability. Investigators said these actions were tied to a political belief that could disrupt the current system of government.
The prosecution added that the defendants supported acts connected to terrorism and failed to share useful information that could have helped prevent such acts.
Financial transactions were also included in the charges. Some of the accused persons were said to have handled large sums of money believed to be linked to illegal activities. One allegedly kept about N50 million, while another was said to have retained N2 million. Others were accused of receiving and keeping millions of naira in cash without passing through any financial institution.
The government said these actions fall under laws dealing with money laundering and terrorism financing.
Authorities described the case as involving a mix of security personnel and civilians, with claims that their actions posed a threat to national safety.
