The Nigerian military has formally commenced legal proceedings against officers accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot, inaugurating a general court-martial on Friday.
Reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicate that the accused officers were transported under heavy security to the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, arriving at approximately 8:53 a.m.
Despite the significance of the proceedings, journalists were denied access to the courtroom, with the trial taking place behind closed doors.
Several legal practitioners were observed at the venue before the sitting began, suggesting that the accused officers are being represented by counsel as the trial unfolds.
The court-martial marks the next phase in a case that has been under investigation for several months. The situation first came to light in October 2025, when around 16 serving military personnel—both senior and junior officers—were arrested over alleged disciplinary breaches.
However, subsequent investigations by military authorities reportedly revealed more serious allegations, including an attempted overthrow of the constitutional government. This development led to the decision to escalate the matter to a formal court-martial.
According to NAN, more than 30 accused officers were conveyed to the venue in a luxury “Marcopolo” bus, underscoring the scale of the proceedings.
In a related move, the federal government has also initiated criminal proceedings against civilian suspects and retired military personnel in connection with the same alleged plot. They were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges including treason and terrorism.
Among the defendants are a retired major general and a serving police officer. All of them have entered not guilty pleas, and the court has ordered their continued detention pending the hearing of their bail applications.
The situation reflects a dual-track legal approach, with serving military personnel facing trial within the military justice system, while civilians and retired officers are being prosecuted through the civilian courts.
As of the time of reporting, further details about the court-martial proceedings remain limited, given the restricted nature of the hearings.
