Six Defendants Deny Treason Charges in Abuja Court, Accused of Plotting October 2025 Coup
Six individuals have entered pleas of not guilty to charges of treason, terrorism, and money laundering. The defendants, appearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, include a retired major general and a serving police inspector. They have been ordered to remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria's domestic intelligence agency.
A seventh figure, former governor and one-time oil minister Timipre Sylva, has also been implicated in the alleged conspiracy, though court documents indicate he remains at large. Mr Sylva, who served as petroleum minister from 2019 to 2023, denies any involvement, stating allegations against him are politically motivated.
Coup Plot Allegations Surface
Rumours of a coup plot first emerged following the government's abrupt cancellation of a planned military parade for Nigeria's 65th Independence Anniversary on 1 October 2025. Officials initially cited security threats; however, speculation quickly linked the cancellation to a potential coup. While the military initially denied such reports, it announced in January that 16 officers would face a military court in connection with an attempt to oust the president.
The current charges at the Federal High Court pertain to civilians or retired military personnel allegedly involved in the plot. Prosecutors contend that the six defendants "conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe" the president. Court papers suggest Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma'aji led the plot and has been arrested alongside other alleged accomplices, facing trial in a military court. Prosecutors further allege the defendants possessed prior knowledge of Colonel Ma'aji's "treasonable act" but failed to inform authorities.
Allegations of money laundering also form a significant component of the case, with accusations of financial transactions linked to terrorism financing. Under Nigerian law, treason carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment. The court has scheduled bail hearings for 27 April. Defence lawyers have protested restricted access to their clients, claiming they have been unable to meet with them since September 2025, suggesting arrests occurred prior to the Independence Day parade.
This prosecution represents one of the most significant coup-related legal proceedings in Nigeria since 1999, marking a period of unbroken civilian rule. The opacity surrounding the alleged plot has, for months, generated rumours ranging from wider military involvement to claims of political vendettas. With the defendants now arraigned, the matter proceeds to open court, though questions persist regarding the full scope of the alleged conspiracy.
