By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Abuja
The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge against former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, and six others over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Sylva, who is reportedly at large, is to be tried in absentia alongside the other defendants, most of whom are detained security personnel.
Those charged include a retired Major-General, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; a retired Navy Captain, Victor Erasmus Ochegobia; a serving police inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim; as well as Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.
The charges were filed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2025 in Abuja to levy war against the state and overawe the President, an offence punishable under the Criminal Code.
They were also accused of failing to disclose information on an alleged treason plan involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, and of not taking steps to prevent its execution.
Other counts border on conspiracy to commit terrorism, participation in terror-related meetings, and providing support for acts deemed capable of destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional order.
The Federal Government further alleged that some of the defendants handled funds linked to terrorism financing, with various sums traced to their accounts.
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
No date has been fixed for arraignment.
