DHQ names 16 officers for court-martial over alleged plot
Naijapunchnews reports that Falana said the latest disclosure contradicts the military’s earlier position and amounts to misleading the Nigerian public.
The senior advocate spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, following the military’s announcement on Monday that some of its personnel would face a military judicial panel over alleged coup-related activities.
In October 2025, the Defence Headquarters announced the arrest of 16 officers for alleged violations of service regulations but denied reports of a coup plot, insisting that the cancellation of the 2025 Independence Day parade was unrelated to any such allegations.
Share this:
DHQ names 16 officers for court-martial over alleged plot
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has released the names and ranks of 16 officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria indicted by a Special Investigative Panel over allegations of serious misconduct, including an alleged plot to topple the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed on Monday that the panel had concluded its assignment and found that the affected officers have cases to answer.
According to him, the officers will now face a military court-martial in line with established procedures and extant regulations.
Major General Uba said the investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the conduct of the officers and identified actions deemed inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards expected of personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He stressed that the exercise was purely disciplinary and aimed at preserving internal discipline, cohesion and operational effectiveness.
The indicted officers are: Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course); Colonel M. A. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Regular Course); Lieutenant Colonels S. Bappah (Bauchi), A. A. Hayatu (Kaduna), Dangnan (Plateau) and M. Almakura (Nasarawa), all of the 56th Regular Course.
Others are Major A. J. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th Regular Course); Major M. M. Jiddah (Katsina, 56th Regular Course); Major M. A. Usman (FCT, 60th Regular Course); Major D. Yusuf (Gombe, 59th Regular Course); Major I. Dauda (Jigawa, DSSC 38); Captain I. Bello (DSSC 43); Captain A. A. Yusuf; Lieutenant S. S. Felix (DSSC); Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi of the Nigerian Navy; and Squadron Leader S. B. Adamu of the Nigerian Air Force.
Reports indicate that most of the officers are drawn from the Infantry, Signals and Ordnance Corps.
Recall that in October 2025, rumours of an alleged coup plot against President Tinubu’s administration circulated on social media, but the DHQ dismissed the claims as false and misleading, urging the public to disregard the misinformation.
In the aftermath, President Tinubu approved a reshuffle of the leadership of the Armed Forces. A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, said the changes were part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.
Under the new appointments, General Olufemi Oluyede replaced General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, while Major General W. Shaibu was named Chief of Army Staff. Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke became Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumed office as Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retained his position.
Falana slams army, demands apology over coup claims
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has faulted the Nigerian military over its handling of the recent revelation that some officers are to be arraigned over an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
Naijapunchnews reports that Falana said the latest disclosure contradicts the military’s earlier position and amounts to misleading the Nigerian public.
The senior advocate spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, following the military’s announcement on Monday that some of its personnel would face a military judicial panel over alleged coup-related activities.
In October 2025, the Defence Headquarters announced the arrest of 16 officers for alleged violations of service regulations but denied reports of a coup plot, insisting that the cancellation of the 2025 Independence Day parade was unrelated to any such allegations.
Falana said the military authorities ought to have apologised to Nigerians, stressing that those in positions of authority must learn to take the public seriously.
He criticised the military for what he described as a lack of transparency and accountability in its communication with the public.
According to him, if the military had earlier stated that there was no coup plot but later discovered, in the course of its investigation, that the matter went beyond indiscipline, it should have apologised to the Nigerian people.
Falana also faulted plans to try the suspects by court-martial, arguing that if the allegations are related to treason, they fall within the jurisdiction of civil courts.
He noted that a court martial would have been sufficient in cases of indiscipline, but where allegations involve a coup plot, only a Federal or State High Court has jurisdiction over offences such as treason or treasonable felony.
He urged the military to follow due process and ensure that the rights of the accused officers are adequately protected.
