Abuja — Fresh details have emerged in the alleged coup case involving former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and several others, as the Federal Government filed formal charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Also listed as defendants in the suit are a retired Major General, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; a retired Naval Captain, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; a serving Police Inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim; and three others identified as Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Court documents indicate that Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, is currently at large, despite being named in the charge.
The case was instituted by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
According to the Federal Government, the आरोप against the defendants include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose critical security intelligence, and alleged money laundering in support of terrorist activities. Prosecutors claim the accused conspired to levy war against the state in a bid to overawe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an offence said to be punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
The government further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to notify the appropriate authorities.
Authorities maintain that the accused knowingly withheld intelligence regarding the plot and did not act with urgency to inform either the President or relevant security agencies, actions they argue demonstrate intent to commit treason.
The case is expected to draw significant public attention as proceedings continue in Abuja.