Nigerian Military Court-Martial Opens for 36 Officers Over Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu
The Nigerian Armed Forces have convened a general court-martial to prosecute 36 personnel accused of participating in an alleged conspiracy to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The tribunal, inaugurated by Defence Headquarters on Friday at the Scorpion Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, operated under tight security and behind closed doors. Accredited defence correspondents were denied entry, and mobile devices were prohibited as the defendants—transported in an Army Headquarters Garrison bus—arrived shortly before 9 a.m.
This military process runs parallel to criminal proceedings initiated by the Federal Government at the Federal High Court, Abuja. On April 22, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, arraigned another set of suspects—including retired officers, a police inspector, and civilians—before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. They face a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and money laundering, to which they pleaded not guilty. The court ordered their remand in DSS custody, with an accelerated hearing fixed for April 27.
The dual-track prosecution has triggered constitutional debate within the legal community. Human rights advocate Femi Falana, SAN, has urged the Attorney-General to exercise his powers under Section 174 of the Constitution to discontinue the military trial and consolidate all charges before the Federal High Court. He contends that under Section 251 of the Constitution, offences such as treason and terrorism fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
Falana further argued that courts-martial lack competence to adjudicate grave constitutional offences, noting that even under past military regimes, coup-related prosecutions were handled by special tribunals rather than standard military courts.
Meanwhile, families of the accused and activist Omoyele Sowore have joined calls for transparency and a civilian-led process, insisting that fundamental rights must be safeguarded.
