By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has formally inaugurated a General Court-Martial to try military officers—including senior commanders—indicted over an alleged plot to unseat the civilian administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The court-martial, convened behind closed doors at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, follows months of multi-agency investigations. While specific testimony from individual defendants—including officers linked to the probe—remains classified under military judicial rules, investigators and military sources outline key elements surrounding the case.
Key Operational Highlights
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Inauguration in Asokoro: A General Court-Martial was inaugurated on April 24, 2026, under heavy security at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess, with proceedings held away from press coverage.
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Origin of the Inquiry: The investigation traces back to late 2025, when dozens of serving military personnel were arrested for severe breaches of service conduct and indiscipline. Subsequent probes by a multi-agency panel concluded that several officers had a case to answer regarding an alleged conspiracy to overthrow the constitutional government.
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Investigative Scope: Investigators interrogated both serving officers and retired personnel. The panel examined alleged financial movement lists, logistics coordination, and unauthorized communications across military ranks.
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Position of the Armed Forces: The military high command, through the Director of Defence Information, reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ total loyalty to the Constitution and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing that any personnel attempting to sabotage democratic governance will face strict military justice under the Armed Forces Act.
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│ ALLEGED COUP PLOT COURT-MARTIAL MATRIX │
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│ • Convening Body : Defence Headquarters (DHQ) / Nigerian Army │
│ • Venue : Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess, Asokoro, Abuja │
│ • Trial Format : Closed-Door General Court-Martial │
│ │
│ • Suspects Involved : Indicted serving military officers │
│ • Primary Charges : Treasonable felony, conspiracy, and service │
│ indiscipline under the Armed Forces Act │
│ │
│ • Governing Framework : Armed Forces Act & Military Judicial Panel │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘Official Position of the Defence High Command
“The investigation into the alleged plot has been concluded, and those found to have a case to answer have been referred to face a General Court-Martial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and service regulations… The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain completely subservient to civil authority and committed to defending the nation’s democracy.” — Directorate of Defence Information
