Breaking:FG Files 13-Count Charge Against Alleged Coup Plotters, Names Seven Suspects

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge against seven individuals over an alleged plot to forcibly overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, terrorize citizens, and dismantle democratic governance.

Six of the suspects were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), while the seventh, former Bayelsa State Governor, Timpre Sylva, is currently at large and is being tried in absentia.
The suit, filed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, lists the defendants as retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Captain Victor Erasmus Ochegobia, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, Abdulkadir Sani, and Timpre Sylva.
The charges against them include treasonable felony, conspiracy to overthrow the government, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and other offences related to national security threats.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 in Abuja to wage war against the state in a bid to intimidate or overawe the President, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code Act.
They were also accused of failing to report or prevent planned acts of treason involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others, contrary to provisions of the law.
Further counts allege that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and participated in meetings aimed at advancing ideologies capable of destabilizing Nigeria’s constitutional structure.
The Federal Government also accused them of providing support to individuals linked to terrorism, as well as withholding vital information that could have prevented such acts or aided in apprehending those involved.
In addition, some of the defendants face allegations of terrorism financing and money laundering. These include claims of receiving and retaining large sums of money suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities through various bank accounts.
Specifically, Abdulkadir Sani was accused of retaining N2 million linked to terrorism financing, while Bukar Kashim Goni allegedly held N50 million under similar circumstances. Zekeri Umoru was charged with receiving N10 million in cash outside financial institutions and retaining an additional N8.8 million suspected to be proceeds of terrorism. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim was also accused of taking possession of N1 million believed to be linked to terrorism financing.
The case outlines a series of offences under the Criminal Code Act, Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as the government moves to prosecute those allegedly involved in threats to national security.