The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has begun the secret trial of more than 30 military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The proceedings started on Friday, April 24, 2026. It is taking place behind closed doors at the Scorpion Mess. Journalists were not allowed into the venue. There was tight security around the facility.
The accused officers were brought in early in the morning. They arrived around 8:54 a.m. in a bus belonging to Army Headquarters Garrison. A detention operations vehicle from the Defence Intelligence Agency followed closely behind.
The DHQ had earlier confirmed that the officers would face trial after months of investigation. The suspects were first arrested in October 2025. Authorities said intelligence reports linked them to a plot aimed at destabilising the current administration.
Military authorities decided to prosecute the case through a court martial. This is in line with existing military laws guiding internal discipline and offences among service personnel.
Details of the charges have not been made public. However, sources within the military say the allegations border on conspiracy, mutiny, and actions considered a threat to national security.
The secrecy surrounding the trial suggests the sensitivity of the case. It also points to concerns about national stability and the need to prevent panic within the armed forces and the public.
Meanwhile, Politics Nigeria gathered that six other suspects linked to the same case are not part of the military trial. They are civilians and former service members.
The six individuals were arraigned earlier in the week before a Federal High Court in Abuja. After the court session, they were remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending further hearings.
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