By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Nigeria’s ongoing crackdown on threats to national security has taken a dramatic turn as the Federal Government filed sweeping charges against several defendants accused of plotting to destabilise the country.
The suspects are facing a raft of serious allegations, including treason, terrorism, and terrorism financing, in a case that is already drawing nationwide attention.
According to court documents, the prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state” with the aim of overthrowing the President. The charge, brought under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code, carries severe penalties upon conviction.
Beyond direct involvement, the accused were also said to have had prior knowledge of a planned coup but failed to report it to authorities. Prosecutors argued that the defendants neither alerted the President nor any security agency, nor took reasonable steps to prevent the alleged plot.
The case deepens further with terrorism-related counts under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Investigators claimed that some of the defendants attended strategic meetings and aligned themselves with activities aimed at undermining Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Particularly, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were accused of participating in gatherings linked to the plot and advancing an ideology capable of destabilising the nation.
The charges also highlight alleged financial links to terrorism. Several defendants were accused of handling large sums of money believed to be proceeds of terrorism financing. Among them, Bukar Kashim Goni allegedly retained ₦50 million, while Abdulkadir Sani was said to have held ₦2 million tied to unlawful activities.
Zekeri Umoru was further accused of accepting ₦10 million in cash outside formal financial systems and retaining an additional ₦8.8 million suspected to be linked to terrorism financing. Inspector Ibrahim was also alleged to have received ₦1 million from similar sources.
Prosecutors added that some of the accused deliberately withheld intelligence that could have prevented the alleged acts, raising concerns about internal security breaches.
The case is closely tied to developments in late 2025, when speculation of a coup plot surfaced following the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary parade. Although authorities initially dismissed the rumours, subsequent investigations confirmed that several military officers were implicated.
By January 2026, defence authorities acknowledged uncovering a coordinated plan to overthrow the government, leading to arrests and ongoing investigations.
Families of the detained officers have since intensified calls for transparency, demanding open trials and access to their relatives. Protests and appeals have continued into April, reflecting growing public interest in the case.
As proceedings begin at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the trial is expected to test the government’s resolve to confront alleged threats to national stability and uphold the rule of law.
