The Nigerian military on Friday formally opened the trial of serving officers linked to an alleged coup plot, inaugurating a General Court-Martial at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess, Asokoro.
The accused officers arrived under heavy guard at 8:53 a.m. in a Marcopolo bus. More than 30 officers were brought in. Proceedings began behind closed doors, with journalists barred from the courtroom.
Several civilian lawyers were seen entering the venue, indicating the defendants have legal representation.
The court-martial follows the October 2025 arrest of about 16 senior and junior officers for alleged indiscipline. Military investigators later concluded that some had cases to answer over an alleged plot to overthrow the constitutional government, prompting the decision to try them by court-martial.
In a parallel track, the Federal Government has already arraigned civilian suspects and retired military personnel at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the same alleged plot. The defendants, including a retired Major General and a serving police officer, face treason and terrorism charges. All pleaded not guilty and were remanded pending bail hearings.
The dual proceedings highlight the military’s approach: serving personnel face court-martial, while civilians and retirees are tried in civilian courts.
Details of Friday’s court-martial session were not available at press time.
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