By John Umeh
The Federal Government is set to arraign former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, alongside a retired army general and several others over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The six defendants are expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja today to face a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and money laundering.
Those named in the suit include Sylva; retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; a serving police inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim; as well as Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
The charges were filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. Prosecutors alleged that the defendants were involved in a conspiracy aimed at destabilising the government and forcing the removal of President Tinubu through unconstitutional means.
According to the charge sheet, the accused persons allegedly planned actions that could undermine national security and failed to report intelligence about the purported plot. Authorities claimed they were aware of plans involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but did not inform relevant security agencies.
The government further alleged that the suspects did not take reasonable steps to prevent the alleged plan from being executed, despite having prior knowledge of it.
In addition to treason-related accusations, some of the defendants were also linked to terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Prosecutors claimed certain meetings were held to advance political objectives that could destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Financial crimes also formed part of the charges, with the government alleging that some of the defendants handled funds believed to be connected to terrorism financing. One of the accused was said to have retained ₦50 million allegedly linked to unlawful activities, while another reportedly handled ₦2 million from a similar source.
Further allegations claimed that another defendant received ₦10 million in cash outside the banking system and held an additional ₦8.8 million suspected to be proceeds of illicit activities. The police inspector named in the case was also accused of taking possession of ₦1 million connected to the alleged scheme.
The defendants are expected to be arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The case follows earlier speculation about a coup attempt that surfaced in October 2025, when authorities cancelled a planned military parade for Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary due to security concerns. Though the military initially denied any coup attempt, it later announced plans to try 16 officers before a military tribunal.
It remains unclear whether the new charges are separate from the ongoing military proceedings.
Sylva, who previously served as governor of Bayelsa State and later as petroleum minister between 2019 and 2023, has consistently denied any involvement in a coup plot. His residence was reportedly searched by investigators last year, and a warrant for his arrest was later issued in a separate case.
At the time, his spokesperson stated that the former minister was abroad for medical reasons and described the allegations as politically motivated.
Meanwhile, reactions to the development have been cautious, with some of Sylva’s associates declining comment. One associate, who spoke anonymously, expressed concern about speaking publicly due to the sensitivity of the allegations.
Also reacting, a Bayelsa elder and convener of the South South Reawakening Group, Joseph Ambakederimo, urged authorities to ensure a fair and transparent trial.
He stressed that while anyone found guilty should face the law, the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, adding that the matter should not be politicised but handled strictly within the framework of the law.
