At least 16 military officers who were indicted for plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu would be sentenced to the death penalty or life imprisonment depends on the level of involvement in the failed coup attempt.
The military high command has admitted that the officers who have been in detention since October 2025 were found guilty of the offence.
Recall that in October 2025, military officers, ranging from the rank of captain to brigadier-general, were arrested and detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for attempting to overthrow Tinubu’s government.
Some retired officers who spoke on the development, Gen. Bashir Adewinbi (Rtd) and Major Bashir Galma (Rtd), explained that in line with the Armed Forces Act of Nigeria, the punishment for attempted coup is death.
They howeverm said unless President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, tempers justice with mercy, there is no way the indicted officers can come out freely from the offence.
According to Gen. Adewinbi: “The coup is a criminal offence in the military, and there are penalties for it. The military high command might have denied it for the first time for them to ascertain and conclude their investigations.
“Is it real? Is it not real? Who are the people involved? Who are the actors? Now that they have concluded and submitted their report, and the report has indicated that there was a coup attempt, that means, if there was a coup, everybody must be ready to face consequences for their actions.
“There is no two ways about it. A coup in the military attracts the death penalty.
“When you’re caught for a coup, the consequence is the death penalty. We have witnessed it so many times in Nigeria.
“However, the President can use his prerogative to take action on the type of punishment to give them, but the normal thing is the death penalty to serve as a deterrence to others who are planning to truncate the democracy we are enjoying in Nigeria, because there is no need for any coup in Nigeria today.
“It is the duty of the military to protect the present democracy. We should not truncate democracy. Whoever has planned the coup should be made to pay for it. Not only the coup, but also all of these offenders, like terrorists, bandits, and other criminals.
“There must be a special court to try these people. That is the only way we can reduce terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria. Let’s take the bull by the horns. Let’s give them the right punishment because they see it as a way of making money.”
On his part, Major Galma said anybody that join the military should understand that he or she would be abiding by two laws – military laws and Nigeria’s constitution.
On Monday, the Director, Defence Information, Samaila Uba, a Major-General, confirmed that the probe panel had submitted its report to the “appropriate superior authority” for the next line of action.
In a statement, Major-General Uba said those involved in the alleged coup will be formally arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to inform the general public that investigations into the matter have been concluded and the report forwarded to the appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.
“The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.
The findings have identified several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards required of members of the AFN.
“Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations,” he said.
Major-General Uba said the Armed Forces remain resolute in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, loyalty, and respect for constitutional authority.
According to him, for the military to ensure accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process, decided to make this development public.
He further said: “The AFN reiterates that measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks.”
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