Nigeria has inaugurated a general court-martial to try 36 military personnel accused of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The proceedings began on Friday at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, under tight security and strict access control.
Despite prior accreditation, journalists and defence correspondents were denied entry into the venue.
Security operatives also restricted the use of mobile phones, preventing coverage of the arrival of the accused personnel.
The 36 defendants were brought in an Army Headquarters Garrison bus around 8:53 a.m.
Closed-Door Military Proceedings
The court-martial was set up by the Defence Headquarters Nigeria.
Officials held the session behind closed doors due to the sensitivity of the case.
The accused personnel are facing allegations linked to an attempted coup plot uncovered through internal intelligence.
Parallel Civilian Court Case
The military trial is running alongside a separate case at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
On April 22, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, arraigned additional suspects before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The group includes retired officers, a police inspector, and civilians.
They pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge involving treason, terrorism, and money laundering.
The court ordered their remand in DSS custody and fixed April 27 for accelerated hearing.
Legal Debate Over Jurisdiction
The dual proceedings have sparked legal controversy among stakeholders.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called for the suspension of the military trial.
He urged the government to consolidate all cases at the Federal High Court.
Falana argued that treason and terrorism fall under civilian court jurisdiction.
He also questioned the legality of trying similar offences in both military and civilian courts.
Calls for Transparency
Families of the accused have demanded a transparent legal process.
Activist Omoyele Sowore also called for a civilian-led trial.
He argued that the defendants’ fundamental rights must be protected.
Military Maintains Position
The military insists the alleged plot was uncovered through credible intelligence.
Officials say investigations led to the arrest of all 36 personnel involved.
Authorities have not released further operational details due to security concerns.
Heightened National Attention
The case has drawn strong public attention due to its scale and sensitivity.
Legal experts say the outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
As proceedings continue, both military and civilian courts are expected to play key roles in determining the direction of the case.
