The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has inaugurated a court martial to try over 30 military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu. Proceedings began on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Scorpion Mess, a secure facility where the trial is being held in secret. Journalists were denied access, and no official statement was provided to the press ahead of the hearing. The accused, all senior military officers, arrived at the venue at approximately 8:54 a.m. at the Army Headquarters complex. They were transported under heavy security and escorted into the building without addressing the media. The charges, which include conspiracy and attempted insurrection, carry potential penalties of life imprisonment or death under military law. The trial is expected to last several weeks, with testimonies being delivered behind closed doors. No family members or independent observers are permitted to attend the sessions. The DHQ has not disclosed the identities of the accused or the evidence expected to be presented. A spokesperson confirmed the trial is ongoing but declined to answer questions on the scope of the alleged plot or whether other personnel are under investigation.
The military is prosecuting officers for plotting against the president while simultaneously denying the public any visibility into the trial. If the charges are serious, the secrecy fuels suspicion among serving and retired personnel named in the proceedings. Nigerians cannot assess the fairness of a trial held entirely in the dark, especially when the accused include senior officers whose reputations remain intact until proven guilty. This closed process risks appearing more like internal cleansing than transparent justice.
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