The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the inauguration of a General Court Martial (GCM) to try 36 serving military personnel over allegations bordering on mutiny and a plot to overthrow the elected government of President Tinubu .
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the 36 serving officers were arraigned around 8:53 a.m. at Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, the venue of the court-martial.
Journalists were denied access to the courtroom as proceedings commenced behind closed doors, while several civil lawyers were seen arriving at the venue ahead of the inauguration, indicating that legal representatives were present for the accused.
In a statement issued on Friday, the spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters, Samaila Uba, said the court-martial was formally inaugurated as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce “discipline, accountability and the commitment of the Armed Forces to safeguarding national integrity and constituted authority.”
Last October, this newspaper reported that 16 military officers were arrested for the alleged coup plot. The arrests, made late September, culminated in the decision to cancel the Independence Day parade, according to sources familiar with the matter.
As investigation continued, more officers including former soldiers and civilians were arrested. By the end of January, sources said that 40 people had been arrested so far, while other suspects including a former governor and a retired military officer remain at large.
The Nigerian government, on Monday, filed 13 charges against the civilians and ex-military personnel at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday. The charges, including treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information and money laundering, were instituted by Rotimi Oyedepo, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, acting on behalf of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
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Those listed in the charge include Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; and Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa. Others named are Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based Islamic cleric. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Initially, authorities dismissed the report of the alleged coup. In a statement on 26 January, the Defence Headquarters admitted that there was a plan to oust the government of President Tinubu from office, saying officers involved would be investigated and prosecuted.
The Defence Headquarters noted that the trial is a continuation of its January announcement concerning the alleged breach of national security involving the affected personnel.
