Photo Credit: File photo of Defence Minister, Christopher Musa / Punch Newspapers
Innocent Suspects in Alleged Coup Plot Will Be Freed, Says Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has said suspects arrested over the alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu will be released if investigations find them innocent.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Musa explained why prosecution of some suspects has been delayed.

According to him, investigators are deliberately taking time to avoid punishing innocent persons.

“So, if you don’t have any case, after the investigation, they’ll be released. Those that have serious issues are the ones that are going… We want to take time to make sure that anybody that is freed doesn’t deserve to be punished. All those ones that will go for prosecution should be the ones that are actually the main actors,” he said.

Musa noted that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are still investigating the case, while some of the suspects have already been charged to court.

“I think they’ve been investigated. They’ve taken them to court, so it’s still with the courts. It’s not with us; it’s still with the courts,” he added.

The Defence Minister confirmed that the coup plot was real, describing those involved as “a bunch of misguided individuals” who intended to carry it out.

When asked if the plot was politically motivated, he said he does not think so, adding that the plotters may have been nostalgic about past military regimes where officers became governors and ministers.

“They felt, ‘Man, it’s been a long time. Maybe it’s time for us to also be able to benefit from that,'” Musa said.

He disclosed that some suspects linked to the plot are still at large, but stressed that authorities are careful not to implicate innocent people.

The alleged coup dates back to October 2025, when Defence Headquarters announced the arrest of 16 senior officers for alleged indiscipline and breach of service regulations, which was later linked to a plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration.

An interim report claimed a clandestine network, allegedly coordinated by an Army colonel, had conducted surveillance on critical assets including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja and major international airports.

The Federal Government has since filed a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and terrorism financing against six persons, including retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani. Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was declared wanted.

The six pleaded not guilty and a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing. Meanwhile, 36 persons, including Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq and Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, are facing a General Court Martial.

Musa urged Nigerians not to allow the incident to undermine democracy and called for collective efforts to address national challenges through democratic means.
Source: Punch Newspapers