Alleged Coup Trial: Military Shifts Ruling to October 5

The General Court Martial hearing the alleged coup case involving some military officers has again postponed its ruling on the admissibility of statements attributed to the accused.

The ruling, which was initially scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, has now been fixed for Monday, October 5.

A notice issued to members of the court and other concerned parties said the sitting had been postponed and would now commence at 10am on October 5 at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

The notice was signed by the court’s Liaison Officer, Major M.U. Ardo. It did not state the reason for the latest postponement but expressed regret over any inconvenience caused.

The latest adjournment marks the fourth time the court has deferred its ruling on the matter.

The ruling is expected to determine whether statements allegedly obtained from some of the accused officers can be admitted as evidence in the ongoing military proceedings.

The admissibility of the statements became a major point of contention after defence lawyers challenged the circumstances under which they were obtained.

The defence alleged that some of the officers were subjected to coercion, intimidation, inducement and other forms of pressure by officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency during their detention.

The dispute led to a trial-within-a-trial, during which the defence presented evidence challenging the circumstances surrounding the statements.

Defence lawyers argued that the statements did not meet the legal requirements for admissibility. They questioned, among other things, whether lawyers or witnesses selected by some of the accused were present when the statements were made.

The defence also raised concerns over the absence of video recordings showing some of the officers making their statements in the presence of their chosen witnesses.

Some of the accused officers further alleged that they were made to reproduce statements that had already been prepared by investigators, despite disputing the contents.

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

The General Court Martial is presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji of the Nigerian Air Force.

The court’s ruling on the disputed statements will determine whether the prosecution can rely on them as evidence as the trial proceeds. It is not, by itself, a final determination of the broader allegations against the accused officers.