Captain Erasmus Ochegobia, Zekeri Umoru, Timipre Sylva indicted over alleged plot to overthrow Tinubu

The Federal Government has named a former governor, senior security personnel, and civilians among suspects allegedly involved in a plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Those indicted include former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, who is said to be at large, alongside Captain Erasmus Ochegobia (rtd), Zekeri Umoru, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.

The defendants are listed in a 13-count charge filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026.

According to the charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the accused allegedly conspired to wage war against the Nigerian state in a bid to remove the President.

The charge states that the defendants “conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.

The suspects are scheduled to be arraigned on April 22 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Beyond treason, the Federal Government is prosecuting the defendants on multiple counts, including terrorism, failure to disclose intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.

Prosecutors allege that the accused had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to inform authorities or take steps to prevent it.

They are also accused of participating in meetings aimed at advancing a political agenda capable of destabilising the constitutional structure of the country.

The charge further details alleged financial transactions tied to terrorism financing.

• Abdulkadir Sani is accused of retaining N2 million believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
• Bukar Kashim Goni allegedly received N50 million linked to the same network.
• Zekeri Umoru is accused of accepting N10 million in cash outside the formal financial system and retaining an additional N8.8 million suspected to be tied to terrorism financing.
• Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim allegedly received N1 million connected to the plot.

Several counts also border on failure to disclose intelligence and prevent acts of terrorism, with prosecutors arguing that the defendants had information that could have aided authorities but failed to act.

The charges cite provisions of the Criminal Code and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.