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The Federal Government has filed treason charges against alleged coup plotters, naming former Minister Timipre Sylva as a suspect currently at large.

The Federal Government has taken a decisive step in the ongoing investigation into an alleged coup plot. A 13-count charge has been filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charge borders on treason, terrorism, and money laundering.

Arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the defendants include high-ranking retired military officers. Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana and Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor are the top names on the list. A serving police inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim, and three others were also named.

However, the absence of one key name in the dock has stirred the political waters. Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is listed as a defendant but is said to be at large. His alleged involvement adds a heavy political weight to an already sensitive case.

The charges are severe. The prosecution alleges that the accused conspired to levy war against the state. Their goal was to "overawe" President Bola Tinubu and topple his government. Security reports suggest this was not a mere discussion but a funded operation with dangerous hardware.

The Federal Government traced huge sums of money allegedly used to bankroll the plot. About ₦835 million was reportedly moved through private companies. Investigators claim Sylva contributed over ₦785 million to the alleged conspiracy.

The roots of this plot go back to the transition of power in 2023. Reports indicate the suspects initially planned to disrupt the handover ceremony. When that failed, the plan was allegedly reactivated in late 2025 to assassinate the President and other top officials.

The level of preparation was frightening. Security agencies recovered heavy weaponry, including anti-aircraft guns and gun trucks. The target was the heart of Nigeria’s democracy, specifically the Presidential Villa and critical infrastructure in Abuja.

For the accused, the stakes are incredibly high. Under Nigerian law, treason is a capital offence. If found guilty, the penalty could be death. The country now watches as the legal battle begins on April 22.