Alleged Coup Plot in Nigeria: Detained Army Colonel Drags Federal Government to Court

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Alleged Coup Plot in Nigeria: Detained Army Colonel Drags Federal Government to Court

A serving officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, has instituted legal action against the Federal Government of Nigeria over what he describes as his unlawful and prolonged detention since September 2025 following allegations of involvement in an alleged coup plot.

In a suit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, the military officer is asking the court to order his immediate release and award him ₦500 million in damages for alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.

The suit lists the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence as respondents.

Through his counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Ma’aji argued that his continued detention for over six months without formal charges violates his constitutional rights to personal liberty and human dignity as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Court documents state that the colonel was arrested around September 30, 2025, alongside others over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government.

Since then, he has reportedly remained in a military detention facility in Abuja without access to family members, legal representatives, or adequate medical care.

He further contended that despite claims that investigations have been concluded, he has neither been arraigned in court nor formally charged, in breach of constitutional safeguards and provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Among his reliefs, the applicant is seeking a declaration that his continued detention is unconstitutional and an order directing his immediate release.

Alternatively, he is asking the court to compel the respondents to either arraign him within seven days or set him free.

Ma’aji is also demanding ₦500 million in compensation for what he described as unlawful incarceration lasting several months.

As of the time of filing this report, no hearing date has been fixed by the court.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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