The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, a retired Major General, a retired Naval Captain, a serving police inspector, and three other individuals over alleged involvement in a plot to undermine the Nigerian state.
Other defendants listed in the charge include Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (retd), Captain Erasmus Victor (retd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. They are expected to be arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Sylva is currently said to be at large.
The charge, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), accuses the defendants of offences including treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security-related intelligence, and money laundering tied to alleged terrorism financing.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state” and attempt to “overawe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under the Criminal Code.
They are also accused of having prior knowledge of an alleged treasonable plan involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others, without reporting it to security authorities. The charge further states that they failed to take steps to prevent the alleged offence.
Under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the defendants are also accused of conspiracy and participation in acts described by the prosecution as terrorism-related, including meetings allegedly linked to attempts to destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional order.
Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru are specifically accused of involvement in such meetings, while the prosecution alleges that some defendants provided material support and withheld information that could have prevented the alleged offences.
The Federal Government also alleges financial transactions connected to terrorism financing. Bukar Goni is accused of retaining N50 million linked to unlawful activity, while Abdulkadir Sani is alleged to have retained N2 million from similar sources. Zekeri Umoru is accused of receiving N10 million in cash outside the financial system and retaining an additional N8.8 million. Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim is also alleged to have taken possession of N1 million tied to the same claims.
The financial allegations fall under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The case is expected to proceed with arraignment and initial hearing on Wednesday in Abuja
