The Nigerian military has officially inaugurated a General Court-Martial (GCM) today, Friday, April 24, 2026, to begin the trial of 36 serving military personnel allegedly involved in a plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The proceedings commenced at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, amidst heavy security and significant media controversy.
The Dual-Track Legal Process
The government is pursuing a two-pronged legal strategy to address the alleged conspiracy, which dates back to initial arrests in October 2025:
- The Military Track: 36 active-duty officers (including senior and junior ranks) are being tried under the Armed Forces Act. The GCM is headed by a senior Air Vice Marshal, supported by officers with the ranks of Major General and Rear Admiral.
- The Civilian Track: In a parallel process, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, arraigned a separate group of suspects on Wednesday, April 22, at the Federal High Court. This group includes a retired Major General, a retired Navy Captain, a police inspector, and several civilians (including an electrician from the Presidential Villa). They face a 13-count charge covering treason, terrorism, and money laundering.
Secrecy and Controversy
The inauguration of the court-martial was marked by a standoff with the media:
- Press Blackout: Despite receiving formal invitations from the Defence Headquarters, journalists and accredited defense correspondents were barred from entering the courtroom.
- Security Protocols: Security personnel reportedly prevented the use of mobile phones to document the arrival of the defendants, who were transported to the venue in an Army Headquarters Garrison bus.
- Legal Debate: Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has challenged the jurisdiction of the court-martial, arguing that such “grave constitutional offenses” should be handled by special tribunals or civilian courts rather than standard military panels.
The Investigation Background
While authorities initially dismissed the 2025 arrests as cases of “professional misconduct,” a special investigative panel led by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiandeye, reportedly uncovered evidence of a more serious plot. The military has since maintained that the court-martial is a necessary step to ensure internal discipline and protect Nigeria’s constitutional order.
