The Nigerian military on Friday inaugurated a general court-martial to try officers accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot, formally commencing internal proceedings at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, under tight security.
The accused officers were brought to the venue at about 8:53 a.m. under heavy security presence.
Journalists were denied access into the courtroom as the proceedings were held behind closed doors.
Several civil lawyers were seen arriving at the venue ahead of the sitting, indicating the presence of legal representatives for the accused.
The inauguration marks the start of the military’s internal trial process following months of investigation into the alleged plot.
The case began in October 2025 when about 16 serving military personnel, made up of senior and junior officers, were arrested over alleged acts of indiscipline.
Subsequent investigations by military authorities reportedly established that some of the officers had answers to give regarding an alleged attempt to overthrow the constitutional government, leading to their court-martial.
More than 30 accused officers were reportedly transported to the venue in a “Marcopolo” bus.
In a related development, the Federal Government had earlier arraigned several civilian suspects and retired military officers before a Federal High Court in Abuja over the same alleged coup plot.
The defendants, including a retired major general and a serving police officer, were charged with offences bordering on treason and terrorism.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court subsequently ordered their remand in custody pending the hearing of their bail applications.
The development reflects a dual-track prosecution process, with serving military personnel facing court-martial while civilians and retired officers are being tried in civilian courts.
NAN
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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