Alleged Coup trial: Military shifts ruling to October 5 - Punch Newspapers

The General Court Martial sitting over the alleged coup plot involving some military officers has again postponed its ruling on the admissibility of statements made by the accused persons. The ruling, earlier scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, has now been fixed for Monday, October 5. The court is presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji of the Nigerian Air Force and sits at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja. A notice issued to members of the court and other concerned parties on Wednesday said the sitting earlier adjourned to Wednesday had been postponed. “The GCM sitting earlier adjourned to Wednesday, 30 September, 2026, has now been postponed to Monday, 5 October, 2026. “The new sitting is scheduled to commence at 10am at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja,” the notice stated. The notice, signed by the Liaison Officer, Major M.U. Ardo, did not give reasons for the latest postponement but expressed regret over the inconvenience caused. The latest development marks the fourth time the ruling has been deferred.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google The ruling is expected to determine whether statements allegedly obtained from some of the accused officers can be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial. The defence had challenged the admissibility of the statements, alleging that some of the officers were coerced by officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency into making or reproducing statements containing information they described as false. The dispute over the statements led to a trial-within-trial, during which the defence called evidence to challenge the circumstances in which the statements were obtained. Military records 367 attacks, kills 52 terrorists in September FG plans 24-hour power zones in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, others Security operatives move to rescue 47 abducted farmers in Niger Defence lawyers argued that the statements failed to meet the legal requirements for admissibility. Among other things, they alleged that lawyers or witnesses chosen by some of the accused were not present when the statements were made. The defence also questioned the absence of video recordings showing some of the officers writing their statements in the presence of their chosen witnesses, as required under relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. The lawyers further alleged that some of the accused officers were neither properly cautioned nor adequately informed of their rights before making the statements. The prosecution, however, presented evidence aimed at establishing that the statements were made voluntarily and without improper pressure. Some of the accused officers gave contrary accounts during the trial-within-a-trial, alleging that they were subjected to coercion, intimidation, inducement and physical abuse while in detention. According to evidence before the court, some of the officers alleged that they were made to believe that reproducing particular statements would facilitate their release. They further claimed that some statements had already been prepared by intelligence officials and that they were compelled to copy or sign them despite allegedly having no knowledge of some of the matters contained in the documents. Some also told the court that they did not personally originate or write the statements attributed to them, alleging that they were forced to reproduce pre-written documents containing claims or admissions they considered false or unrelated to their knowledge. The ruling on the admissibility of the disputed statements is expected to determine whether the prosecution will be allowed to rely on the statements as part of its evidence in the ongoing proceedings. The postponement therefore further delays the court’s determination of a key evidentiary dispute in the military trial. Nathaniel Shaibu Nathaniel Shaibu is a correspondent at The PUNCH with three years of professional journalism experience. He covers the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), civil society, religion, and the Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth Development. In addition to his primary beats, Nathaniel also reports on politics, metro, security, and judicial matters, bringing clarity and balance to a wide range of public-interest stories. His work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, strong beat knowledge, and a commitment to accurate, responsible journalism.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.