Alleged Coup Plot: FG Charges Timipre Sylva, Others Over Plan to Overthrow Bola Tinubu

(President Bola Tinubu. Photo by punch Newspaper)

The identities of those who reportedly attempted to topple President Bola Tinubu’s government by force have now been made public by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Among them is Chief Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, who is allegedly at large in the charge FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, which was submitted before the Federal High Court on Tuesday.

Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani are among the others.

In a 13-count charge, they were accused of plotting to levy war against the Federal Republic of Nigeria to overthrow President Tinubu.

The alleged offence is said to be contrary and punishable under Section 37 (2) of the Criminal Code.

The alleged coup plotters are scheduled to be arraigned on April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The charge was filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.

The Federal Government accused the defendants of treason, terrorism and failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.

The defendants allegedly “conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overthrow the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under Section 37 subsection 2 of the Criminal Code.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to alert authorities.

In addition to treason, the defendants are being prosecuted by the Federal Government for offenses related to terrorism under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.