Military begins trial of 16 officers over alleged coup plot

The Nigerian military has inaugurated a general court-martial to try 16 officers accused in an alleged coup plot, marking the formal commencement of proceedings.

The officers were brought to the venue of the sitting, the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, at about 8:53 a.m. on Friday, under tight security.

Journalists were denied access to the courtroom as proceedings commenced behind closed doors, while several civil lawyers were seen arriving at the venue, indicating the presence of legal representatives for the defendants.

The sitting signals the beginning of the military’s internal trial process following months of investigation into the alleged plot.

The case dates back to October 2025 when about 16 serving military personnel, comprising both senior and junior officers, were arrested over alleged acts of indiscipline.

Subsequent investigations by military authorities, however, established that some of the officers had cases to answer bordering on an alleged attempt to overthrow the constitutional government.

This development led to the decision to subject them to a court-martial.

The proceedings are expected to continue as the military begins the formal trial of the accused officers.