Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The General Court Martial handling the alleged coup plot case involving some military officers has postponed its ruling for the fourth time.

The ruling, which was scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, will now be delivered on Monday, October 5.

The military announced the development in a notice issued to members of the court and other parties involved in the proceedings.

The notice, signed by Major M.U. Ardo, the liaison officer, stated that the sitting earlier fixed for September 30 had been moved to October 5. No reason was given for the postponement.

The next sitting is scheduled to commence at 10am at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

The court is hearing the case against military officers accused of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The officers are presumed innocent unless found guilty through due process.

The pending ruling concerns the admissibility of statements allegedly obtained from some of the accused officers during investigations.

The issue led to a trial-within-a-trial after defence lawyers challenged the circumstances under which the statements were obtained.

The defence alleged that some of the officers were subjected to coercion, intimidation, inducement and physical abuse by officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency while in detention.

Lawyers representing the accused also questioned the circumstances surrounding the recording of the statements, alleging that some officers did not have their selected lawyers or witnesses present when the statements were made.

They further raised concerns over the alleged absence of video recordings showing some of the officers making their statements in the presence of their chosen witnesses, as required under relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The defence also alleged that some of the accused were not properly cautioned or adequately informed of their rights before making the statements.

Some of the officers reportedly told the court that they were made to believe that reproducing certain statements could secure their release.

They also alleged that some documents had already been prepared by intelligence officials and that they were subsequently compelled to copy or sign them, despite disputing some of the information contained in the documents.

The prosecution, however, presented evidence seeking to establish that the statements were made voluntarily and without improper pressure.

The court is expected to determine whether the disputed statements meet the requirements for admission as evidence. The decision could determine whether the prosecution can rely on the statements as the substantive trial proceeds.

The General Court Martial is presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji of the Nigerian Air Force, with proceedings taking place at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

The latest postponement is the fourth time the court has deferred its ruling on the admissibility of the disputed statements.