The Federal Government has filed a 13-count treason charge against six individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. The suspects include retired Major General Ahmed Abdullahi, retired Naval Captain Ibrahim Suleiman, and serving Police Inspector Musa Bello, alongside three others whose names are listed in the charge. The case was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The charges allege that the accused conspired between January and April 2024 to commit acts of treason by attempting to disrupt the constitutional order. One count specifically accuses them of attempting to "unlawfully seize control of the government by force." The prosecution claims the suspects held secret meetings and communicated using encrypted platforms to evade detection. The Attorney General of the Federation signed the charges on behalf of the government. The defendants are expected to appear in court for arraignment in the coming days. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted. Security agencies have not disclosed the source of intelligence that led to the arrests. The court has not yet assigned a trial date.
A serving police inspector is among those accused of plotting to topple the president, raising questions about internal security vetting within the force. If a uniformed officer could allegedly engage in treasonous planning undetected, the integrity of the institution's loyalty checks is in doubt. Nigerians who rely on the police for protection must now confront the reality that the threat could come from within the ranks meant to shield them. This case exposes a dangerous breach in the very system tasked with preserving national stability.
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