ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities have charged six individuals with terrorism and treason following the discovery of an alleged conspiracy to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, signaling a high-stakes legal battle for the West African nation.
The group, which includes a retired major general and a serving police inspector, was brought before the court this week after being detained in connection to a plot first reported foiled in January. A seventh high-profile suspect, former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, is also named in court documents for allegedly helping to conceal the conspiracy and remains at large. Prosecutors allege the group conspired to wage war against the state in an attempt to force the president from office.
“The group conspired to wage war against the state,” court documents stated, highlighting the severity of the charges which carry the potential for the death penalty in Nigeria.
While Nigeria has maintained an unbroken period of democratic rule since 1999, the allegations have surfaced against a backdrop of regional instability. Several neighboring West African nations have experienced military takeovers and attempted coups in recent years, putting Nigerian security forces on high alert.
The six suspects currently in custody were allegedly part of a network of military officers and civilians who sought to disrupt the constitutional order. Nigerian officials have not yet released specific details regarding the group’s intended methods, but they emphasized that the investigation is ongoing as they pursue the remaining fugitives involved in the case.