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Nigerian govt charges retired army general, others over alleged failed coup against Tinubu
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Nigerian govt charges retired army general, others over alleged failed coup against Tinubu

From Premium Times · (2d ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Nigerian federal government has filed charges against a retired army general and others for allegedly plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu.
  • The defendants face 13 charges, including treason, terrorism, and money laundering, and are set to be arraigned in Abuja.
  • The alleged plot involved an elaborate plan to seize the Presidential Villa and capture top government officials.

Nigeria's federal government has initiated legal proceedings, filing charges against a retired army general and several other individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu's administration. This move signals a firm stance against perceived threats to national stability and democratic order. The accused are slated to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to face a total of 13 charges, ranging from treason and terrorism to money laundering and failure to disclose information about the alleged coup plot.

Among those charged is a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Silva, alongside retired military and police officers. The charges, meticulously detailed and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, allege a conspiracy to 'levy war against the state' with the intent to destabilize the government. This legal action follows extensive reporting by PREMIUM TIMES, which has previously detailed an elaborate coup plot allegedly involving senior military officers aimed at seizing the Presidential Villa and capturing President Tinubu and other key figures.

conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

— Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi OyedepoDescribing the alleged conspiracy charge against the defendants.

The legal framework invoked, including Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code, underscores the gravity of the accusations. While some serving military personnel suspected of involvement are not named in these charges, their potential prosecution through a General Court Martial remains a possibility. This development highlights the ongoing efforts to safeguard the presidency and maintain security within Nigeria, reflecting the government's commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of its democratic institutions against internal threats.

knowing that and was intended to commit treason, did not give the information thereof with all reasonable dispatch to either the President… or a Peace Officer.

— Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi OyedepoDetailing the charge of failing to disclose information about the planned treason.
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Originally published by Premium Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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