The Federal Government has initiated legal proceedings against six individuals over an alleged plot to destabilise Nigeria, filing a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to court documents submitted by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. They are expected to be arraigned on April 22 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Also named in the charge is former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is reportedly at large.
The charges, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, accuse the defendants of offences including treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
Prosecutors allege that the accused conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state” with the aim of overthrowing the government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The offence, they noted, is punishable under Nigeria’s Criminal Code.
The Federal Government further claimed that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned coup involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to inform authorities. They were also accused of neglecting to take reasonable steps to prevent the alleged act.
In addition to treason-related allegations, the defendants are facing charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Prosecutors said some of the accused attended meetings aimed at advancing an ideology capable of undermining Nigeria’s constitutional order.
The charge sheet also details alleged financial transactions tied to terrorism financing. Bukar Goni is accused of retaining ₦50 million linked to unlawful activities, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly handled ₦2 million from a similar source. Zekeri Umoru is said to have received and retained over ₦18 million in suspicious funds outside formal financial systems, and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim allegedly possessed ₦1 million believed to be proceeds of terrorism financing.
Authorities further accused the defendants of withholding critical intelligence that could have prevented the alleged plot, describing their actions as a deliberate failure to support national security efforts.
The case forms part of a broader investigation into an alleged coup attempt that has drawn national attention in recent months. In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that a plot to overthrow the government had been uncovered following internal investigations.
Earlier developments included the arrest of several military officers in October 2025, with some still in custody and others declared at large. The situation has prompted calls from families of detained officers for a transparent and speedy trial, including public hearings and improved access to their relatives.
Proceedings at the Federal High Court are expected to test the government’s commitment to addressing threats to national security as the case unfolds.
