Coup Plot: Military Court Martial Set To Resume May 8

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that the ongoing court martial involving military officers accused of participating in an alleged coup plot will resume on May 8.

According to a spokesperson of the Defence Headquarters, Major General Samaila Uba, no fewer than 36 military officers are currently facing trial over their alleged involvement in the purported failed coup attempt. The proceedings, which began last week in Abuja, are being conducted within a military facility under strict security arrangements.

Military authorities further disclosed that subsequent sittings of the court martial will continue to be held behind closed doors, with no access granted to members of the public or the media. The hearing scheduled for May 8 is also expected to follow the same restricted format.

The court martial was formally inaugurated on Friday, with the accused officers appearing before a panel of military judges as proceedings commenced. The trial has been described as one of the most significant military prosecutions in recent times.

In a related development, six civilians are also standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the same plot. All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

Nigeria, which gained independence from Britain in 1960, experienced several military coups in its early post-independence history but has maintained uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999.