The Defence Headquarters has inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 36 serving military personnel over alleged mutiny and an attempted coup against the Federal Government.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed this in a statement on Friday, April 24, 2026, noting that the action followed earlier directives issued on January 26, 2026, on investigations into suspected breaches of military regulations and alleged subversive activities.
Uba said the court martial reflects the Armed Forces’ commitment to discipline, accountability, and constitutional order, adding that proceedings would strictly follow due process and established military legal frameworks.
He assured that the trial would be conducted with fairness, impartiality, and strict adherence to due process.
“Proceedings of the court will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness, impartiality and strict adherence to due process,” Uba stated.
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The development follows the military’s confirmation in October 2025 of the arrest of 16 officers over alleged indiscipline and suspected involvement in a coup-related plot, with investigations subsequently concluded and findings forwarded for disciplinary action.
In a related case, the Federal Government had earlier arraigned six individuals before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged coup conspiracy.
The defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, while former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was declared at large.
They are facing a 13-count charge in suit number FHC/ABJ/206/2026.
Unlike the civil trial, the military court martial is being held behind closed doors at the Scorpion Mess in Abuja, with journalists barred from coverage.