Minister of Defence Christopher Musa has confirmed that suspects arrested over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration are now facing trial.
Musa, a retired general and former Chief of Defence Staff, disclosed this while providing an update on investigations into the alleged coup plot uncovered in 2025.
According to Premium Times, the minister maintained that investigators established that there was an intention by those involved to seize power.
He said the suspects had completed the investigation phase and that the matter was now before the courts.
Musa further suggested that the alleged plotters appeared to have been motivated largely by personal financial interests rather than any coherent political or ideological objective.
The alleged plot was uncovered in late September 2025 and subsequently led to the arrest and investigation of serving and retired military personnel as well as civilians.
Reports indicate that six suspects, including retired military officers and a police officer, were charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja, while 36 serving military personnel are facing separate proceedings before a General Court Martial.
Investigators also reportedly examined alleged plans involving the Presidential Villa, military installations and other strategic locations.
Musa, who was serving as Chief of Defence Staff at the time of the alleged plot, had previously disclosed that intelligence gathered during investigations suggested that he was among senior officials allegedly targeted.
The minister emphasised that the proceedings had moved beyond the investigative authority of the military and were now matters for determination by the appropriate courts.
The development places renewed attention on the constitutional prohibition of any attempt to remove a democratically elected government by force and on the legal processes applicable to both military personnel and civilians accused of offences against the state.
The defendants remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until the allegations against them are proved in accordance with law.
READ MORE: Inside Alleged Coup Plotters’ Plan for Villa and Military Bases
