Nigerian military officers face trial over foiled coup plot

An investigation has found that some of the suspects arrested last October attempted to overthrow the government, the authorities have said

A group of Nigerian military officers are set to stand trial after being implicated in a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, the West African country’s army has announced.

Sixteen officers were arrested last October following local media reports of a foiled coup. The military said the suspects were detained “over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.”

In a statement on Monday, the Nigeria Defence Headquarters said a “comprehensive investigation” had found that “a number” of the officers were involved in a conspiracy to destabilize the government, in violation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s ethics.

“Those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before [the] appropriate military judicial panel to face trial. This ensures accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process,” army spokesman Samaila Uba stated.

The measures “are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks,” Uba added.

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The authorities did not disclose the identities of the suspects.

The alleged failed coup comes amid widespread political instability across the African continent, fueled by military takeovers in several countries, often in response to the alleged failures of democratic leaders to perform.

Nigeria, which transitioned from military rule in 1999, has experienced its longest period of uninterrupted democratic government since gaining independence from Britain in 1960. Its West African neighbors – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – are all currently under military rule.

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President Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has faced criticism for a cost-of-living crisis triggered in part by economic reforms, including the removal of a fuel subsidy as part of efforts to reduce the budget deficit in Africa’s most populous country.

Tinubu’s government has taken a tough stance against military takeovers, supporting efforts by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to oppose the military regimes in Ouagadougou, Bamako, and Niamey, and push for the restoration of democratic governance.