Nigeria charges six over alleged coup plot to overthrow Tinubu


ABUJA, ⁠April 21 (Reuters) - Nigeria's government filed 13 ⁠criminal charges against six former security ‌officials accused of plotting the violent overthrow of President Bola Tinubu's government last year, court documents showed ​on Tuesday.

Prosecutors charged a ⁠retired army major-general and ⁠others with treason, terrorism and terrorism financing. ⁠A ‌seventh suspect, a former state governor, remains at large.

Attorney-General and Justice ⁠Minister Lateef Fagbemi filed the case ​on Monday ‌at a federal court in Nigeria's capital ⁠Abuja. ​The suspects are due to be arraigned on Wednesday.

Defence lawyers were not immediately available ⁠for comment.

The case is the ​most serious treason prosecution since Tinubu took office in 2023, reflecting a push to tighten ⁠internal security at a time of economic strains, an Islamist insurgency in the north, and political frictions.

In October, Tinubu suddenly ​replaced the military's leadership ⁠in a sweeping shake-up described by an aide ​as a move to ‌bolster security as threats ​rose.

(Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Explainer-What to know about psychedelic therapies cited by Trump
Malawi to borrow 120 mln USD for fuel procurement amid forex shortage: minister
Italy summons Russian ambassador over TV host insults to PM Meloni
Nearly 560,000 Sudanese refugees enter Libya amid Sudan conflict: UN report
Germany's ruling coalition at odds over reform push
Feature: China's zero-tariff policy opens new opportunities for Cote d'Ivoire's rubber sector
Roundup: Ghanaian students showcase talent to mark Int'l Chinese Language Day
Lebanon to recover every inch of land under "Israeli occupation" -- army commander
Kenya moves to cut transit time on key Northern Corridor trade route
Senegal's leading fertilizer producer says raw materials secured ahead of Middle East conflict

Others Also Read