The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge bordering on treason and terrorism against six persons, including former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, , over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President .
Also listed in the charge are a retired Major General, ; a retired Naval Captain, ; a serving Police Inspector, ; and three others—, , and .
The charge, filed before the in Abuja by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, .
According to the government, the defendants allegedly conspired to levy war against the state in a bid to overawe the President, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
They were also accused of having prior knowledge of a planned coup involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to report the information to authorities.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants did not take reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the offence, despite being aware of the plot.
In addition to treason, the charges include terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including alleged conspiracy, participation in meetings linked to terrorist activities, and financing of terrorism.
The government claimed that some of the defendants handled funds suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing, including sums running into tens of millions of naira.
Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, was listed among the defendants but is said to be at large.
The defendants are expected to be arraigned before the court in Abuja.
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