Defence Headquarters Convenes Court Martial For 36 Officers Over Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu

The Defence Headquarters has formally convened a General Court Martial (GCM) to try a large number of military personnel across the Nigerian Armed Forces for alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.

The case represents one of the most extensive military trials in recent years.

According to an official convening order issued on April 17, 2026 from the Defence Headquarters Garrison, Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja, and exclusively sighted by SaharaReporters, the court martial was established under the authority of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The order, signed by Major General AM Alechenu, Commander of the Defence Headquarters Garrison, officially announced the convening of the General Court Martial (GCM), adding that it “is to assemble at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja on 23 Apr 26 for the purpose of conducting the trial of the accused persons listed…”

Composition of the Court

The panel is made up of senior officers drawn from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, reflecting a tri-service judicial structure.

It is chaired by an Air Vice Marshal as President, with members including multiple Major Generals, Rear Admirals, and Air Vice Marshals. A Judge Advocate, Lt Col. A. Mohammed, has been appointed to provide legal oversight.

Specifically, the court is presided over by Air Vice Marshal HI Alhaji as President, with its members comprising Major General UT Opuene, Major General IB Abubakar, Major General NUC Ogili, Major General SA Emmanuel, Major General FU Mijinyawa, Rear Admiral DM Ndanusa, Rear Admiral MK Igwe, Air Vice Marshal MA Isah, and Air Vice Marshal AO Kotun, while Air Vice Marshal MM Omar serves as the waiting member.

The convening order also designates supporting roles including a liaison officer, prosecuting officers from all three services, a technical team, supervising officers, and a court secretariat.

Accused Personnel

The court martial will try a broad list of personnel spanning senior and junior ranks. The accused include a Brigadier General, a Colonel, several Lieutenant Colonels, Majors, Squadron Leaders, Captains, Warrant Officers, and other non-commissioned officers.

The list of 36 accused officers includes Brigadier General MA Sadiq (N/10321); Colonel MA Ma’aji (N/10668); Lieutenant Colonel IM Hussain (N/12225); Lieutenant Colonel M Almakura (N/12983); Lieutenant Colonel P Dangnap (N/13025); Lieutenant Colonel S Bappah (N/13036); Lieutenant Colonel AA Hayatu (N/13038); and Lieutenant Colonel SM Gana (N/13857).

Others are Wing Commander IU Yusuf (NAF/3117); Major MM Jiddah (N/13003); Major H Yusuf (N/13877); Major AD Dauda (N/14394); Major JM Ganaks (N/14363); Major D Yusuf (N/14753); and Major J Iliyasu (N/14837).

Also listed are Major MA Usman (N/15404); Major A Mohammed (N/15769); Major II Idris (N/16185); Lieutenant Commander DB Abdullahi (NN/3289); Squadron Leader SB Adamu (NAF/3481); Squadron Leader NG Zuzu (NAF/3617); Captain G Binuga (N/16722); Captain I Bello (N/16266); Captain AA Yusuf (N/16724); Captain IU Zubair (N/17646); Captain ML Muhammad (N/18445); and Lieutenant SS Felix (N/18105).

The remaining accused are Warrant Officer Nasiru Ibrahim (95NA/39/2281); Staff Sergeant Abdul Abdullahi (99NA/48/126); Sergeant Alhassan Zakari (97NA/44/4394); Sergeant Sanda Usman (03NA/54/5529); Sergeant Abubakar Ibrahim (06NA/58/3829); Corporal Momoh Audu (96NA/41/1592); Corporal Aliyu Ibrahim (10NA/65/7797); Lance Corporal Sambo Danladi (16NA/75/634); and Lance Corporal Nasiru Yushau (16NA/75/5221).

While the specific charges were not disclosed in the document, it states that: “The charges are to be served on the accused persons individually.”

The order guarantees both prosecution and defence the right to call witnesses in line with the Evidence Act 2023. It also provides that accused persons may choose their own defence counsel.

“Accused persons are entitled to defence counsel of their choice. However, accused persons are to inform the Convening Authority of their counsel not later than 24 hours before the commencement of the trial,” the order said.

“Where an accused fails to secure a Defence Counsel, the Convening Authority will appoint one for him at no cost.”

Two prosecution witnesses were listed.

Extensive security measures have been outlined for the proceedings at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro. The order mandates military police, naval police, air police, and guards brigade personnel to secure the venue.

It further stipulates strict access control measures.

“No one is allowed to carry weapon into the court room,” and “All unauthorised phones, devices and gadgets are not allowed within and around the court premises.”

According to the document, “Only the court guards are allowed to carry arms around the court premises on every day of proceedings.”

The document noted that search operations will be conducted on all participants before entry, while accused persons will remain in custody under escort.

The Defence Headquarters also detailed full logistical arrangements, including accommodation, transport, medical services, catering, and technical support such as video coverage and public address systems.

All officers are directed to appear in No. 4 dress, while soldiers are to wear No. 5 dress, and civilian lawyers must appear robed.

The order emphasises that the court will operate under powers granted by the Armed Forces Act, 2004. Upon completion of proceedings, the President of the GCM is required to submit records within a strict timeline.

According to the order, the “President is to submit 5 bound copies of the records of proceedings of each case on completion of the trial to the Convening Officer not later than sixty days after conclusion of trial”.

Proceedings Expected in Abuja

According to the document, the General Court Martial was scheduled to begin sitting on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja. It noted that only authorised persons would be granted access to the proceedings.

On Sunday, SaharaReporters exclusively reported the Nigerian military was facing mounting criticism over its plan to court-martial officers accused of plotting the coup, with relatives and associates of the detainees raising concerns about secrecy, due process, and access to legal representation.

Sources familiar with the development said the trial was expected to commence soon, with the accused officers reportedly moved to the DHQ Garrison for jurisdiction.

Families of the detained officers alleged that they had been left completely uninformed since the arrests nearly seven months ago.

According to them, there had been no formal communication from military authorities, while access to both the detainees and their legal representatives had been consistently denied.

“This is not just a trial, it is a process being controlled from start to finish by the same institution,” a family member told SaharaReporters amid broader concerns among relatives about the fairness of the proceedings.

The families called for the matter to be transferred to a civilian court, where hearings would be conducted publicly.

They argued that such a move would guarantee the accused officers the right to independent legal counsel and ensure that evidence would be subjected to open scrutiny.

On Wednesday, six suspects were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on treason charges linked to the alleged coup plot, but former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was conspicuously absent, with prosecutors confirming he remains “at large.”

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation filed a 13-count charge against the defendants, bordering on allegations of treason, terrorism, and money laundering.

The government alleged that the accused persons conspired to “levy war against the state to overawe the President,” an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.

Six suspects were arraigned in court. They are: retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. (SaharaReporters )