The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has filed a 13-count charge against six individuals over an alleged plot to destabilise Nigeria, with the suspects set to appear before the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.
The defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, and three others identified as Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
They are expected to be arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on charges bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
Also mentioned in the charge, but reportedly still at large, is former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
According to court documents filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the accused allegedly conspired in 2025 to wage war against the Nigerian state and undermine constitutional authority.
The prosecution claims the defendants plotted to “overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under the Criminal Code.
They are also accused of having prior knowledge of a planned coup involving another officer but failing to report it to the appropriate authorities or take steps to prevent it.
In addition to treason-related allegations, the government is pursuing terrorism charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Prosecutors allege that some of the defendants participated in meetings aimed at advancing activities capable of destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order.
The charge further includes allegations of financial involvement in terrorism, with several defendants accused of handling funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Authorities claim that large sums of money, ranging from millions of naira, were received, retained, or transferred outside formal financial systems in connection with the alleged plot.
The case is expected to draw significant national attention as proceedings begin, given the gravity of the charges and the profile of those involved.