FG Drags Six, Names Ex-Minister in Alleged Coup and Terror Plot

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The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge at the Federal High Court in 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 carry out acts of terrorism.

Those listed in the charge are retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. They are expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

Also named in the case, but currently at large, is former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

The charge was filed on Monday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). The defendants are accused of offences including treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.

According to the prosecution, the accused 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.

The Federal Government further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to inform authorities.

Prosecutors stated that despite being aware of the planned act, the defendants did not report the information to the President or any security agency, nor did they take steps to prevent the alleged offence.

The charge also includes terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The government alleged that the defendants conspired to commit acts capable of destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order.

Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were specifically accused of attending meetings connected to the alleged plot in furtherance of a political agenda considered a threat to national stability.

Additionally, the defendants were accused of providing both direct and indirect support for terrorist activities, as well as withholding critical intelligence that could have helped prevent the alleged acts.

On the financial front, some of the accused persons are alleged to have handled funds tied to terrorism financing, in breach of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The case is expected to begin with their arraignment on Wednesday.