The Nigerian government under Bola Tinubu has filed a 13-count charge against six individuals over an alleged plot to wage war against the country and engage in acts of terrorism.
Those charged include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. They are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Also named in the charge, but currently at large, is Timipre Sylva.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions Rotimi Oyedepo, include allegations of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 to undermine the Nigerian state by planning to “levy war” against it in a bid to overawe the President, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
They are also accused of having prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others, but failing to report it to the appropriate authorities, including the President or law enforcement agencies. Prosecutors further allege that the defendants did not take reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the offence.
In addition to treason-related allegations, the defendants face charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The government claims they conspired to commit acts of terrorism aimed at destabilizing Nigeria’s constitutional structure.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru are specifically accused of attending meetings linked to terrorist activities and supporting efforts to advance a political ideology considered capable of undermining the state.
The prosecution also alleges that the defendants provided both direct and indirect support for terrorism and deliberately withheld intelligence that could have helped prevent such acts.
Financial crimes form a significant part of the case. Bukar Kashim Goni is accused of retaining ₦50 million believed to be proceeds of terrorism financing, while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly retained ₦2 million from similar sources.
Zekeri Umoru is accused of receiving ₦10 million in cash outside the formal financial system and retaining an additional ₦8.8 million suspected to be linked to terrorism financing. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim is also alleged to have received ₦1 million connected to the same scheme.
These financial-related charges were filed under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
