For months rumors and secrecy have surrounded last year's alleged Independence Day coup plot in Nigeria - but with this week's indictment of six civilians accused of involvement comes the first details of what is said to have been an elaborate plan to oust President Bola Tinubu.
It was due to take place on 1 October 2025 - the day Nigeria marked the 36th anniversary of its independence from the UK.
But at the very last minute, the celebratory parade, to be attended by the president, was canceled - and the government and military were tight-lipped about why.
It was only in January that the military announced, in a statement short on detail, that 16 unnamed senior military officers were to face a court-martial over an alleged plot - effectively admitting a coup attempt had been thwarted.
Now court documents, filed by state prosecutors at the Federal High Court in the capital, Abuja, have revealed the name of the alleged mastermind and suggest that one of the major aims of the plotters was to destabilize the state ahead of the planned takeover.
The six going on trial at the High Court cannot go before a military court as they are civilians, including a serving police inspector and retired military personnel. They have denied the 13 charges, including treason, terrorism, and money laundering - and while they may not necessarily be the ringleaders, their trial is likely to shed light on an alleged plan that is said to have involved all elements of Nigeria's security forces.
Nigeria has a long history of military takeovers but has been under civilian rule since 1999. Several other West African countries have experienced coups in recent years, and there has been speculation that Nigeria could be next, with economic hardship rising and accusations that the political system was rigged in favor of a small elite.
Who was the alleged architect of the plot?
Court documents point to Colonel Mohammed Ma'aji as the alleged chief strategist. Little is known about the 50-year-old, a Muslim born in western Niger state who spent much of his early army career in the southern oil-rich Niger Delta region where he climbed the ranks during the oil militancy.
He is said to have developed close ties with oil businessman and one-time governor of Bayelsa state, Timipre Sylva. This relationship appears to be central to the alleged coup plot, where Sylva's involvement is indicated without formal indictment.
How was the alleged plot financed?
Timipre Sylva is alleged to be a key financier of the coup plot, with his name appearing in seven of the 13 charges. As a former oil minister, he allegedly helped provide finances for the operation, with the suspect figures indicating large sums were necessary to purchase equipment and favors.
The court documents reveal that several civilians on the charge sheet are alleged to have been given considerable sums for their services, which the authorities claim were proceeds of terrorism financing.
What was the alleged plan on the day?
While specific details are scant in court documents, sources explain how the conspirators planned to storm Nigeria's seat of power, the Aso Rock presidential villa in Abuja, on 1 October. The alleged plotters were said to have procured vehicles for their operation, nearly achieving the element of surprise with insider information.
In the lead-up to Independence Day, authorities reportedly received intelligence about the plot, leading to arrests. The extent of the security breach was alarming enough for the military to cancel the celebrations, displaying the serious implications of this coup attempt.
Why was a cleric indicted?
Sani Abdulkadir, a popular Islamic cleric, was also swept into the controversy, showing how deep the alleged conspiracy runs into various societal layers. Following his earlier disappearance, he was implicated as a conspirator and later detained by military authorities.
Will more people be brought to trial?
As the trial unfolds, expectations linger for more indictments. Reports indicate a military tribunal may handle additional arrests, raising fears of a widespread crackdown in the military, a perception that harkens back to Nigeria's past military regimes.
As the trial of the defendants continues, the ramifications of what appears to be the first serious coup plot since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999 will continue to reverberate through the political landscape.
