Nigerian govt files 13-count charge against Sylva, Gana, other alleged coup plot suspects

THE Nigerian government has instituted a 13-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, over allegations bordering on a plot to wage war against Nigeria and commit acts of terrorism.

The defendants, including Retired Major General Mohammed Gana, Retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, are expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

A former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, is also named in the charge but is reportedly at large.

Filed on Monday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the charge sheet includes allegations ranging from treason and terrorism to money laundering and failure to disclose security-related intelligence.

READ ALSO: Here’re 16 officers named in alleged coup plot against Tinubu

Prosecutors alleged that the accused persons conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state” with the intent of overpowering the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an offence punishable under the Criminal Code, The Punch reported

They are also accused of having prior knowledge of an alleged treasonable plan involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but allegedly failed to report it to security authorities.

According to the charge, the defendants did not notify either the President or any peace officer, nor did they take steps to prevent the alleged offence despite having relevant information.

Beyond treason-related allegations, they are also charged under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The prosecution claims they conspired to commit acts of terrorism within Nigeria.

Specifically, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were alleged to have attended meetings connected to the purported plot aimed at advancing a political ideology that could destabilise the country’s constitutional order.

The defendants are further accused of providing direct or indirect support that allegedly facilitated terrorist activities, as well as withholding critical intelligence that could have prevented the alleged offences.

On financial allegations, prosecutors said several of the accused handled funds suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing in breach of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Bukar Kashim Goni was alleged to have retained N50 million linked to unlawful activities, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly kept N2 million from similar sources. Zekeri Umoru was also accused of receiving N10 million in cash outside the banking system and retaining an additional N8.8 million. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim was alleged to have taken possession of N1 million connected to terrorism financing.

The case is expected to test the government’s handling of national security prosecutions as proceedings begin in Abuja.

The development follows earlier controversies surrounding the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade in October 2025, which initially sparked speculation of a coup attempt. Although the military denied any link, reports later emerged of arrests of several officers.

By late October 2025, authorities confirmed the detention of 16 military officers in connection with the alleged plot, while two others were declared wanted.

Security authorities are also detaining Nollywood filmmaker, Mr Stanley Amandi, after linking him to a group of military officers accused of plotting a violent attempt to unseat President Bola Tinubu’s government. The actor and director, who once led the Enugu State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was taken into custody in September 2025.

In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that investigations had uncovered a genuine attempt to overthrow the government, adding that implicated personnel would face military disciplinary processes.

READ ALSO: ECOWAS, Nigeria, AU denounce Benin failed coup attempt amid multiple arrests

Subsequently, families of the detained officers have repeatedly called for open court trials and improved access to their relatives, staging protests in Abuja to press their demands for transparency and a speedy judicial process.

Officers earlier named

Economy Post had earlier mentioned the names of the 16 officers. The most senior officer named is Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, who was born on January 3, 1974. Also named is Col M.S. Ma’aji, a Nupe from Niger State, who was born on August 13, 1976.

Colonel S. Bappah is also in the list of the alleged coup plotters. Mr Bappah hails from Bauchi State in North-East Nigeria. He was born on June 21, 1984. Also named is Lt Colonel A.A. Hayatu from Kaduna State, born on August 13, 1983.

Also in the list is Lt. Colonel M. Almakura, a member of the 56 Regular Course. He is from Nasarawa State and was born on March 18, 1983.

Equally named is Lt Col A.A. Hayatu, with service number N/13038. He hails from Kaduna State. Born on August 13, 1983, he underwent his cadet training between September 27, 2004 and October 4, 2008. A member of the infantry corps, Mr Hayatu also belonged to the 56 Regular Course.

Also named is Col Dangnap from Plateau State. He was born on April 1, 1986. In 2015, he was court-martialed alongside 29 others for offences related to the fight against Boko Haram, Premium Times reported. The officer, with service number N/13025, began his cadet training on September 27, 2004 and completed it on October 4, 2008. An infantry corps officer, Mr Dangnap is also a member of the 56 Regular Course of the NDA.

Another officer named in the coup plot is Major I. Dauda, who joined the army through the Direct Short Service Commissions. Born on November 26, 1983, the infantry officer with service number N/13625 trained between June 5, 2009 and March 27, 2010. Mr Dauda, who hails from Jigawa, is a member of Short Service Commission Course 38.

Major D Yusuf, a major with service number N/14753, was also named in the coup plot. He is a member of the Ordinance Corps. He was born on May 26, 1988. As a member of the 59th Regular Course, Mr Yusuf trained at NDA between July 7, 2007 and September 8, 2012. He hails from Gombe State.

Mr M.A Usman is a major with service number N/15404. He was born on April 1, 1989. He hails from the Federal Capital Territory, in North-Central Nigeria. A member of the 60th Regular Course, the infantry officer trained as a cadet at the NDA between August 16, 2008 and September 14, 2012.

A major in the Nigerian army, M.M Jiddah, was also named. A native of Katsina State, Major Jiddah was born on July 9, 1985. He trained between September 27, 2004 and October 4, 2008. He is a member of the 56 Regular Course, with service number N/13003.

Also named is A.J Ibrahim, a major with service number N/13065. Mr Ibrahim hails from Gombe State. Born on June 12, 1987, the Infantry Corps officer trained between September 27, 2004 and October 4, 2008. He was a member of the 56 Regular Course, and became a captain in 2013.

READ ALSO: Security agencies detain Nollywood actor Stanley Amandi linked to alleged coup plot to overthrow Tinubu

Likewise named is Mr Ibrahim Bello, a captain with service number N/16266. He was born on July 28, 1987. He is a member of the Direct Short Service Commission Course 43.

Mr A.A. Yusuf was also named in the coup. He is an army captain with service number N/16724. Also mentioned is S.S Felix, a lieutenant with service number N/18105.

Also in the list is Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi, a Nigerian Navy personnel with service number NN/3289. Squandron Leader S. B Adamu, an Air Force squadron leader with service number NAF/3481, was equally named in the coup plot.