Nigeria Military Opens Secret Court-Martial Over Alleged Coup Plot as Top Officers Face Trial Behind Closed Doors

(Nigerian military. photo by X. com)

The formal start of proceedings has been marked by the Nigerian military’s establishment of a general court-martial to try officers suspected in an alleged coup plan.

At approximately 8:53 a.m. on April 24, 2026, the officers were transported under strict security to the meeting location, the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro.

A number of civil lawyers were seen arriving at the location prior to the inauguration, indicating the presence of legal representation for the defendants, but journalists were not permitted entry into the courtroom as proceedings began behind closed doors.

After months of inquiry into the alleged conspiracy, the sitting marks the start of the military’s internal trial procedure.

About 16 active military soldiers, including both senior and junior officers, were detained in October 2025 on suspicion of indiscipline.

However, further investigations by military officials revealed that some of the officers had cases to answer that bordered on a claimed plot to undermine the constitutional government. As a result, court-martial was decided.

The court was visited by about thirty accused officers.