The General Court Martial in Nigeria has postponed its ruling on the admissibility of statements made by accused military officers involved in an alleged coup plot. The ruling, initially scheduled for September 30, 2026, has been rescheduled for October 5, 2026. The court, presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji, is located at the Scorpion Officers' Mess in Asokoro, Abuja. A notice issued by Major M.U. Ardo, Liaison Officer, cited regret for the inconvenience caused but did not provide reasons for the postponement.
This marks the fourth time the ruling has been deferred. The court's decision will determine whether statements allegedly obtained from some of the accused officers can be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial. The defence had challenged the admissibility of these statements, alleging that some officers were coerced by Defence Intelligence Agency officials into making or reproducing false statements. The dispute led to a trial-within-a-trial, during which the defence presented evidence to challenge the circumstances under which the statements were obtained.
Defence lawyers argued that the statements failed to meet the legal requirements for admissibility. They claimed that lawyers or witnesses chosen by some accused persons were not present when the statements were made. The defence also questioned the absence of video recordings showing officers writing their statements in the presence of their chosen witnesses, as required by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. Furthermore, they alleged that some accused officers were neither properly cautioned nor adequately informed of their rights before making the statements.
The prosecution presented evidence aimed at establishing that the statements were made voluntarily and without improper pressure. However, some accused officers gave contrary accounts during the trial-within-a-trial, alleging coercion, intimidation, inducement, and physical abuse while in detention. They claimed that they were made to believe that reproducing particular statements would facilitate their release and that some statements had already been prepared by intelligence officials.
The accused officers further claimed that they were compelled to copy or sign pre-written documents containing claims or admissions they considered false or unrelated to their knowledge. Some stated that they did not personally originate or write the statements attributed to them. The ruling on the admissibility of the disputed statements will determine whether the prosecution can rely on them as part of its evidence in the ongoing proceedings.
The postponement further delays the court's determination of a key evidentiary dispute in the military trial. The trial is significant, with 367 attacks recorded and 52 terrorists killed in September, according to military records. The case has garnered attention amid concerns about security and the rule of law in Nigeria. The court's eventual decision will have implications for the prosecution's case and the rights of the accused officers.
The case is ongoing, with the next sitting scheduled for October 5, 2026, at 10 am. The court's decision will be crucial in determining the course of the trial and the potential consequences for the accused officers. The Nigerian military has been working to address security challenges, including the recent abduction of 47 farmers in Niger and efforts to establish 24-hour power zones in key cities.
Key points
- The Nigerian military court has postponed its ruling on the admissibility of statements in an alleged coup trial to October 5, 2026.
- The defence has challenged the admissibility of the statements, alleging coercion and improper procedures.
- The prosecution has presented evidence that the statements were made voluntarily, but the accused officers have given contrary accounts.
