The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge against six individuals over an alleged plot to wage war against Nigeria and engage in acts of terrorism.

The case, instituted before the Federal High Court in Abuja, names two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector among the defendants.

 

Those listed are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.

They are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

The charge was filed on Monday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo.

According to the prosecution, the defendants face allegations bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.

Court documents indicate that the accused allegedly conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code.

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

It stated that they neither disclosed the intelligence to the President nor to any peace officer and did not take reasonable steps to prevent the execution of the alleged plot.

The charges also include offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Prosecutors accused the defendants of conspiring to commit acts capable of destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional structure.

Specifically, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were alleged to have attended meetings connected to the plot in furtherance of a political ideology deemed a threat to national stability.

The Federal Government also accused the defendants of providing support for terrorist activities and withholding critical intelligence that could have prevented the alleged acts.

On the financial aspect, the prosecution alleged that the defendants handled funds linked to terrorism financing in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Bukar Kashim Goni was accused of retaining N50 million believed to be proceeds of terrorism financing, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly held N2 million from a similar source.

Zekeri Umoru was accused of receiving N10 million in cash outside the banking system and retaining an additional N8.8 million suspected to be linked to terrorism financing. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim was also alleged to have taken possession of N1 million from similar proceeds.

The development follows earlier security concerns tied to the alleged plot. In October 2025, the Federal Government cancelled the ceremonial parade for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, a move that sparked speculation about a possible coup, though the Defence Headquarters denied any connection at the time.

Subsequently, authorities confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers, while two others were declared wanted. In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters acknowledged that there had been a plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.