Retired general among defendants in treason case; former governor sought as fugitive
ABUJA, April 26, 2026 (GLOBAL ECHOS )
Nigerian authorities filed terrorism and treason charges on Tuesday against six individuals including a retired major-general and an active-duty police inspector in connection with an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, according to a 13-count charge sheet.
The defendants, named as retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, are accused of conspiring together to wage war against the state and unseat the president. A seventh suspect, former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, is accused of helping to conceal the plot and remains at large.
The suspects were among 16 military officers arrested in 2025 over what authorities initially described as “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.” The government subsequently acknowledged a coup attempt in January, and President Tinubu reshuffled top military commanders shortly thereafter. Authorities named retired Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji as the alleged mastermind of the plot.
Africa’s most populous nation experienced five coups in the 20th century but has maintained civilian democratic rule since 1999. The charges come amid a broader wave of military coups across West and Central Africa, with attempted takeovers in Benin and Guinea-Bissau reported late last year. Analysts say the pattern reflects deep-seated grievances over disputed elections, economic hardship and security crises.
A Nigerian government spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Defence lawyers for the accused have not yet entered formal pleas.
