The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Abuja Federal High Court against six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, for 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 scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is also named in the charge but remains at large.
The indictment, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), includes counts of treason, terrorism, money laundering, and failure to disclose security intelligence.
Prosecutors allege the defendants conspired in 2025 to wage 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..
According to the prosecution, the defendants possessed prior knowledge of a treasonable act involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji but failed to alert the President or peace officers.
The charge further alleges that Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru attended meetings intended to destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional structure.
The legal action also highlights significant terrorism financing allegations.
Bukar Kashim Goni is accused of retaining N50 million in unlawful proceeds, while Zekeri Umoru allegedly accepted N10 million in cash through non-institutional channels.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Abdulkadir Sani also face charges for handling funds linked to terrorism.
This prosecution follows a period of heightened national security concerns.
In October 2025, the government cancelled Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary parade amid rumours of a coup.
Although the Defence Headquarters initially dismissed these claims, they later confirmed in January 2026 that a plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had been uncovered.
