Alleged Coup: Timipre Sylva, others to be arraigned today

The Federal Government will today, April 22, 2026, arraign six individuals, including former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over an alleged plot to overthrow the government and wage war against the state.

The six defendants, retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, are set to appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Sylva, who is also named in the charge but remains at large, is accused of being part of a coordinated effort to destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional order, including attempts to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), include allegations of conspiracy, attempted treason, financing terrorism, and money laundering.

CHARGES AGAINST DEFENDANTS

COUNT 1

“That you, MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMMED IBRAHIM GANA -(RTD), CAPTAIN (NN) ERASMUS OCHEGOBIA VICTOR -(RTD), INSPECTOR AHMED IBRAHIM (AP 776373), ZEKERI UMORU, BUKAR KASHIM GONI, ABDULKADIR SANI, TIMIPRE SYLVA (still at large), and others, sometime in the year 2025, conspired to levy war against the state and to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in violation of Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004.”

COUNT 2

“That you, MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMMED IBRAHIM GANA -(RTD), CAPTAIN (NN) ERASMUS OCHEGOBIA VICTOR -(RTD), INSPECTOR AHMED IBRAHIM (AP 776373), ZEKERI UMORU, BUKAR KASHIM GONI, ABDULKADIR SANI, TIMIPRE SYLVA (still at large), and others, knew about a planned treasonable act by Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and failed to report the information promptly, violating Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004.”

COUNT 3

“That you, MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMMED IBRAHIM GANA -(RTD), CAPTAIN (NN) ERASMUS OCHEGOBIA VICTOR -(RTD), INSPECTOR AHMED IBRAHIM (AP 776373), ZEKERI UMORU, BUKAR KASHIM GONI, ABDULKADIR SANI, TIMIPRE SYLVA (still at large), and others, did not use reasonable efforts to prevent the commission of treason in violation of Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004.”

COUNT 4

“That you, MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMMED IBRAHIM GANA -(RTD), CAPTAIN (NN) ERASMUS OCHEGOBIA VICTOR -(RTD), INSPECTOR AHMED IBRAHIM (AP 776373), ZEKERI UMORU, BUKAR KASHIM GONI, ABDULKADIR SANI, TIMIPRE SYLVA (still at large), and others, conspired to commit an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

COUNT 5

“That you, INSPECTOR AHMED IBRAHIM (AP 776373) and ZEKERI UMORU, knowingly participated in meetings aimed at furthering a political ideology that would destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure, in violation of Sections 2(3)(d) and 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

COUNT 6

“That you, MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMMED IBRAHIM GANA -(RTD), CAPTAIN (NN) ERASMUS OCHEGOBIA VICTOR -(RTD), INSPECTOR AHMED IBRAHIM (AP 776373), ZEKERI UMORU, BUKAR KASHIM GONI, ABDULKADIR SANI, TIMIPRE SYLVA (still at large), knowingly supported Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others to commit an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 13(1)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

COUNT 7

“That you, MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMMED IBRAHIM GANA -(RTD), CAPTAIN (NN) ERASMUS OCHEGOBIA VICTOR -(RTD), INSPECTOR AHMED IBRAHIM (AP 776373), ZEKERI UMORU, BUKAR KASHIM GONI, ABDULKADIR SANI, and TIMIPRE SYLVA (still at large), failed to disclose information critical to preventing terrorism, in violation of Section 6(1)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

COUNT 8

“That you, MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMMED IBRAHIM GANA -(RTD), CAPTAIN (NN) ERASMUS OCHEGOBIA VICTOR -(RTD), INSPECTOR AHMED IBRAHIM (AP 776373), ZEKERI UMORU, BUKAR KASHIM GONI, ABDULKADIR SANI, and TIMIPRE SYLVA (still at large), failed to disclose information to security agencies to aid in the apprehension of suspects involved in terrorism, in violation of Section 16(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

COUNT 9

“That you, ABDULKADIR SANI, retained N2 million from A & A Express Link Concept, knowing it was proceeds of terrorism financing, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
COUNT 10

“That you, BUKAR KASHIM GONI, retained N50 million from A & A Express Link Concept, knowing it was proceeds of terrorism financing, in violation of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

COUNT 11
“That you, ZEKERI UMORU, accepted N10 million in cash from Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, in violation of Sections 2(1)(a) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

COUNT 12

“That you, ZEKERI UMORU, retained N8.8 million in your Zenith Bank account from proceeds of terrorism financing, in violation of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

COUNT 13

“That you, INSPECTOR AHMED IBRAHIM, received N1 million from Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, knowing it was terrorism financing, in violation of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Military Involvement and Investigation

This arraignment follows ongoing investigations into an alleged coup plot, which has already led to arrests within military and security circles. In October 2025, the Federal Government canceled the 2025 Independence Day parade, which some reports later linked to the alleged plot, although the Defence Headquarters dismissed any connection.
In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers and declared two others wanted after an internal investigation revealed a plan to overthrow the president. Families of the detained officers have protested, demanding transparency and access to their loved ones.

Court Martial Set Up for Military Personnel

The military has set up a court martial to try the serving personnel implicated in the case. Among those detained are Brigadier General M. A. Sadiq, Colonel M. A. Maaji, Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah, and others.

Sources say that the court martial will begin proceedings today, and for the first time since their detention, the officers have been granted access to their legal representatives.