The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court Abuja against six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, over an alleged plot to wage war against Nigeria and commit acts of terrorism.
The defendants—retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani—are expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Also named in the charge, but currently at large, is former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
The charge, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), includes allegations of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
They were also accused of having prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving other individuals but failing to notify authorities or take steps to prevent it. The charge states that the defendants did not provide timely information to either the President or relevant security agencies despite being aware of the alleged plot.
Beyond treason, the suspects are facing terrorism-related charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Prosecutors allege that they participated in meetings and activities aimed at advancing a political agenda capable of destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were specifically accused of attending meetings linked to the alleged scheme, while all defendants were said to have provided indirect support for acts of terrorism.
The government also alleged deliberate suppression of intelligence, claiming the accused withheld critical information that could have helped prevent the alleged acts.
Financial transactions linked to terrorism financing form a key part of the case. Bukar Goni is accused of handling ₦50 million believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly retained ₦2 million. Zekeri Umoru is said to have received ₦10 million in cash outside the banking system and held an additional ₦8.8 million, while Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim allegedly took possession of ₦1 million tied to the scheme.
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All financial-related charges were brought under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The case is expected to test the government’s resolve to prosecute alleged threats to national security as proceedings begin in Abuja.
The development follows earlier reports of a suspected coup plot in October 2025, which initially led to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary parade. Although authorities at the time dismissed any link, the Defence Headquarters later confirmed that several military officers had been arrested over the alleged plot, with investigations ongoing.
Since then, families of some detained officers have continued to demand a transparent trial and access to their relatives, staging protests and calling for due process as the case unfolds.
