The Federal Government will today, April 22, 2026, arraign six individuals, including former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, on charges related to an alleged plot to overthrow the government and wage war against the state.
The accused—retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani—are scheduled to appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Timipre Sylva, also charged but currently at large, is accused of participating in a coordinated attempt to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional order, including efforts to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
The charges, brought by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), include conspiracy, attempted treason, terrorism financing, and money laundering.
Summary of Charges
- Count 1: Conspiracy to wage war against the state and overthrow the President in violation of Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
- Count 2: Failure to report a planned treasonable act by Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, violating Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code.
- Count 3: Failure to prevent the commission of treason, contrary to Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code.
- Count 4: Conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism under Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
- Count 5: Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru allegedly participated in meetings to promote a political ideology aimed at destabilizing Nigeria’s constitutional framework, violating Sections 2(3)(d) and 12(a) of the Terrorism Act.
- Count 6: Knowingly supporting Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others in acts of terrorism, contrary to Section 13(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act.
- Count 7: Failure to disclose information essential to preventing terrorism, in violation of Section 6(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act.
- Count 8: Failure to provide information to security agencies to aid in apprehending terrorism suspects, violating Section 16(1)(b) of the Terrorism Act.
- Count 9: Abdulkadir Sani is accused of retaining N2 million from A & A Express Link Concept, knowing it was proceeds from terrorism financing, in violation of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Act.
- Count 10: Bukar Kashim Goni is accused of retaining N50 million from the same source, in violation of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Act.
- Count 11: Zekeri Umoru is alleged to have accepted N10 million in cash from Colonel Ma’aji, violating Sections 2(1)(a) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering Act.
- Count 12: Zekeri Umoru is further accused of retaining N8.8 million in his Zenith Bank account from terrorism financing, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Act.
- Count 13: Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim is accused of receiving N1 million from Colonel Ma’aji, knowing it was for terrorism financing, in violation of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Act.
Military Investigation and Prosecution
These arraignments follow ongoing investigations into a purported coup plot that has already resulted in arrests within the military and security agencies. In October 2025, the Federal Government cancelled Independence Day celebrations, a move some reports linked to the alleged conspiracy, though the Defence Headquarters denied any connection.
In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers and declared two others wanted after an internal probe uncovered a plan to overthrow the president. Families of the detained officers have since called for transparency and access to the detainees.
A court martial has also been established to try the implicated military personnel, including Brigadier General M. A. Sadiq, Colonel M. A. Ma’aji, and Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah. Proceedings are set to commence today, with the accused officers being granted access to legal representation for the first time since their detention.
