A discrepancy has emerged in the ongoing trial of military officers accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. Nearly 40 vehicles were initially reported to have been seized in connection with the alleged coup plot, but fewer than 12 vehicles were ultimately presented as evidence in the proceedings. This discrepancy has raised questions about the number of vehicles actually recovered during the investigation and their role in the planned operation.
According to security sources, the alleged plotters planned a coordinated takeover of strategic government and military locations, including the Presidential Villa, Radio House, and military barracks. The operation was intended to involve the occupation of key locations and disruption of government functioning. However, the plot was uncovered and halted about two weeks before its planned execution. The vehicles were among the logistical items investigators linked to the operation.
The alleged plot involved plans to seize strategic government and military facilities and establish control over key communication points. Investigators recovered vehicles and other items during the probe, and further reporting detailed allegations that one of the officers purchased six vehicles worth about ₦65 million during the period considered critical to the alleged preparations.
The Federal Government is prosecuting six people before the Federal High Court in Abuja, while serving military personnel are facing proceedings before a General Court Martial. The military inaugurated the General Court Martial in April to try 36 personnel over their alleged involvement in the purported plot. Journalists were denied access to the proceedings, with security personnel restricting the use of mobile phones at the venue.
The closed nature of the proceedings means that reporters and members of the public have had limited opportunity to independently examine the exhibits being relied upon by the prosecution or hear the full arguments surrounding their relevance to the alleged plot. This has left questions about the evidence and the prosecution's narrative that can only be fully resolved through the proceedings and the eventual decisions of the court.
Defendants in the civilian court proceedings have denied wrongdoing, while some have challenged the admissibility of statements and other evidence tendered by the prosecution. The alleged plot first became public following the arrest of serving and retired military officers in late September 2025. The Defence Headquarters initially described the arrests as relating to military discipline before subsequently acknowledging that the officers were being investigated over an alleged coup plot.
The General Court Martial is scheduled to rule on issues arising from the trial-within-a-trial on October 5, 2026. The proceedings are being held at the Scorpion Officers' Mess in Asokoro, Abuja. The outcome of the trial and the court's decisions will likely have significant implications for the accused individuals and the broader narrative surrounding the alleged coup plot.
Key points
- Discrepancy between number of vehicles seized and presented as evidence raises questions about prosecution's account.
