Alleged coup: Military promises fairness as trial of serving officers by court-martial begins

By Ayorinde Oluokun/NAN

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has promised that proceedings of at the General Court Martial set up to try 36 serving military personnel for planning a coup to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness, impartiality and strict adherence to due process.

DHQ said this while conforming the inauguration of a General Court Martial to try the 36 serving military personnel in a short statement by Major General Samaila Uba, Director, Defence Information on Friday

The Defence Headquarters had in a statement on 26 January 2026 confirmed the arrest of the 36 serving military personnel among others for allegedly planning a coup to overthrow President Tinubu.

Uba said in the statement that the inauguration of the General Court Martial “marks a significant step in reinforcing discipline, accountability and the commitment of the Armed Forces to safeguarding national integrity and constituted authority.”

He also assured that justice will be served without fear or favour to the indicted military personnel and that all cases will be addressed within extant legal frameworks of the military justice system.

“The DHQ remains resolute in upholding professionalism, discipline and the rule of law while ensuring that the rights of all personnel are respected and the tenets of fair hearing upheld,” Uba said.

Reports early on Friday had indicated that the officers accused of involvement in the coup plot were brought to the venue of the sitting, the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess, Asokoro, at about 8:53 a.m. under tight security.

However, journalists were not allowed to witness the proceedings conducted behind closed doors.

But earlier reports had identified the 16 alleged coup plotters to include Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq who is suspected to be the leader of the coupists.

Also identified as being among the alleged coupists are Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, Lt. Colonel S. Bappah, Mr Bappah, Lt Colonel A.A. Hayatu, P. Dangnap, and Lt. Colonel M. Almakura.

The others are Major A. J Ibrahim, Major M.M. Jiddah, Major M.A. Usman, Major D. Yusuf, Major I. Dauda, Captain Ibrahim Bello, Captain A.A Yusuf, Lieutenant S.S Felix, Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi and Squadron Leader S. B Adamu.

The presence of many civil lawyers who arrived at the venue ahead of the inauguration the General Martial indicated that the accused were allowed to have legal representatives for their defence

The serving military personnel made up of senior and junior officers were arrested in October 2025 for what the military the desrcibed as acts of indiscipline.

However, months after their detention, military authorities said their investigations revealed that some of the officers were involved in attempt to overthrow the Tinubu’s administration.

The Federal Government had earlier in the week arraigned several civilian suspects and retired military personnel before a Federal High Court in Abuja for also conspiring with the military officers for the 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.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that the parallel proceedings underscore the dual-track approach, with serving military personnel facing court-martial, while civilians and retired officers are being tried in civilian courts.