Court martial postpones ruling on admissibility of officers’ statements

A General Court Martial hearing an alleged coup plot involving Nigerian military officers has postponed its ruling on whether statements attributed to the accused can be admitted as evidence. The ruling, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, will now be delivered on Monday, October 5, according to a notice issued to members of the court and other concerned parties. The court sits at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, and is presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I.

Alhaji. The notice, signed by Liaison Officer Maj. M.U.

Ardo, did not give a reason for the latest postponement but apologised for the inconvenience. It is the fourth time the ruling has been deferred. The decision is important because it will determine whether the prosecution may rely on the disputed statements in the continuing trial.

Defence lawyers challenged the statements during a trial-within-trial. They alleged that some officers were coerced by Defence Intelligence Agency officials into making or reproducing statements containing information they said was false. The defence also questioned whether lawyers or witnesses chosen by some accused officers were present when the statements were made.

Other objections concerned the absence of video recordings, the alleged failure to caution some officers properly and claims that the accused were not adequately informed of their rights. Several officers told the court that they had been intimidated, induced, abused or promised release if they reproduced prepared documents. The prosecution presented evidence intended to show that the statements were made voluntarily and without improper pressure.

The accused officers deny allegations that they conspired to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government on October 1, 2025. The further adjournment delays a key evidentiary decision in the military proceedings.