Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has disclosed that suspects arrested over the alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration have been taken to court and are now facing legal proceedings.
Musa gave the update during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.
He said the investigation into the alleged coup plot had established that the plan was real and that those involved intended to seize power.
“The coup was genuine, and they truly intended to carry it out,” Musa said.
Musa said the suspects were kept in custody while security agencies conducted investigations into the alleged plan. According to him, the investigation has now moved beyond the security agencies, with the courts taking responsibility for determining the fate of those accused.
“I believe they have been investigated. They have taken them to court, so it remains with the courts. It is not with us; it is still with the courts,” he said.
The Defence Minister said the alleged plotters were not driven by any clear political ideology or a serious plan to change the country for the better.
He claimed financial interests played a major role in the actions of those involved.
“The attempt was genuine, and they truly wanted to do it for some reason. And again, when you hear why they wanted to do it, you realise that they’re just a bunch of misguided individuals who went into it for money alone,” he said.
Musa also suggested that some of the suspects may have been influenced by memories of Nigeria’s past military regimes.
He said some soldiers may have looked at the positions and privileges enjoyed by military officers who previously seized power and concluded that another takeover could offer them similar opportunities.
“I think the intent of the plotters is just… probably they saw the reminiscences about the past military regimes, how they became governors and became ministers and all this.
“And they felt, man, it’s been a long time. Maybe it’s time for us to be able to benefit from that. Otherwise, there’s really no concrete reason.”
The minister maintained that there was no justification for attempting to overthrow an elected government through force.
Musa also disclosed that investigators were looking into individuals who allegedly had access to sensitive areas around the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He said the investigation had gone beyond the military officers initially arrested and was examining other people who allegedly played supporting roles.
“We’re hearing more details about those hit men, or the men who were on guard at the presidential villa, near the villa clinic. Those who were involved, those who helped, and how they received aid and all that,” he said.
Earlier reports on the investigation indicated that the alleged plot involved several strategic locations, including military formations and areas around the Presidential Villa.
Some suspects were allegedly assigned specific duties as part of a broader plan to take control of key institutions and communication facilities.
The investigation also reportedly examined plans targeting senior political and military officials.
Musa himself had previously revealed that he was among the people allegedly marked by the plotters for arrest.
He said the plan was to shoot him if he resisted arrest.
“I was supposed to be arrested, and if I refused, I was supposed to be shot,” he said in an earlier interview.
At the time, Musa was serving as Chief of Defence Staff.
The alleged plot later triggered major changes in the military leadership. President Tinubu removed Musa and some other service chiefs from their positions before Musa was subsequently appointed Minister of Defence.
The alleged coup case has since developed into separate legal proceedings involving military and civilian suspects.
Reports on the case indicate that serving military personnel are facing proceedings before a General Court Martial, while some civilians and retired officers have been taken before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Earlier reports put the number of people linked to the investigation at about 40.
Musa had previously said the proceedings would be conducted according to established procedures and that those accused would be allowed to defend themselves.
“The prosecution is now ongoing, and the court-martial will go as planned. We are giving them all the benefits to defend themselves.
“But the facts on the ground are very, very clear, and I can tell you that we are following all the processes. Nothing is hidden,” he said.
