The Nigerian Armed Forces has constituted a court-martial to try 36 alleged coup plotters who wanted to overthrow the administration of Bola Tinubu.
The panel, set up by the Defence Headquarters, was inaugurated on Friday at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, with proceedings held behind closed doors under tight security. Journalists were denied access, while security operatives restricted the use of mobile phones as the accused were brought in.
The suspects were transported to the venue in a bus belonging to the Army Headquarters Garrison.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney-General, is prosecuting six other alleged coup plotters before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The defendants include a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector and several civilians.
The court has ordered their remand in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and fixed April 27 for the commencement of the accelerated hearing.
The development follows earlier confirmations by the Defence Headquarters that investigations uncovered a plot involving some military personnel to overthrow the government, with assurances that those implicated would face appropriate military judicial processes.
The case has also drawn public attention, with families of detained officers previously calling for open trials and access to their relatives, amid growing concerns over transparency in the proceedings.
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