Nigeria’s President Tinubu Faces Alleged 2025 Coup Plot as Trial Reveals Details

The Federal High Court in Abuja is hearing cases against dozens of serving and retired military officers, police, businessmen and civilians accused of planning a failed coup to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which authorities say was uncovered in September last year and forced a scaled‑down Independence Day celebration on 1 October 2025. Investigators have identified Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji of the Defence Space Administration as a principal mastermind.

Documents submitted as evidence describe assignments to seize the Presidential Villa (Aso Rock), Radio House, airports, the Armed Forces Headquarters and senior officers’ residences. The alleged plan included recruiting 18‑19 insiders, cutting power to the villa—later debated—and using force if cooperation failed. Defendants have contested the admissibility of video exhibits and statements. The trial continues, shedding unprecedented detail on what officials deem one of the gravest security threats to Nigeria in decades.