The Nigerian military has set up a court-martial to try 36 personnel over their alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The panel, constituted by the Defence Headquarters, was inaugurated on Friday at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.
The inauguration of the panel took place at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, under tight security arrangements.
Proceedings were held behind closed doors, with journalists denied access to the venue.
Security operatives also restricted movement around the area and barred the use of mobile phones as the accused personnel were brought in.
The defendants were conveyed to the venue in a bus belonging to the Army Headquarters Garrison.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, is also prosecuting six suspects over the same alleged coup plot.
The suspects include a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and civilians.
They were arraigned on a 13-count charge before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
The court ordered that they be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and fixed April 27 for commencement of an accelerated hearing.
Although Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, was mentioned in the charge, he is said to be at large.
On September 29, 2025, the Federal Government announced the cancellation of the parade earlier scheduled to mark the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary on October 1.
Days after the cancellation, reports emerged suggesting that the decision was linked to an alleged coup attempt.
However, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the reports, insisting that the cancellation had no connection to any coup-related activity.
On October 31, 2025, TheCable reported that 16 military officers were arrested in the first week of the month over the alleged plot, while two others were said to be on the run.
In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that there was indeed a plot to overthrow President Tinubu, stating that investigations conducted in line with military procedures found some personnel culpable.
Samaila Uba, the DHQ Director of Defence Information, said the officers would be arraigned before relevant military judicial panels.
In March, families of detained military officers appealed to President Tinubu to allow the suspects to be tried in an open court.
During a press conference in Abuja, the wives and relatives of the detained officers also demanded access to the accused personnel.
Earlier in April, family members of the detained officers staged a protest at the entrance of the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and access to their relatives.
Erizia Rubyjeana
