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Nigerian Military Officers to Face Court Martial Over Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu

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A group of 16 Nigerian military officers are set to face a military Court Martial following allegations of serious misconduct, including an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The officers were arrested in October 2025 after what the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) initially described as acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. While early official statements denied the existence of a coup plot, authorities have since confirmed that investigations uncovered sufficient grounds for some of the officers to be tried under military law.

According to the DHQ, 14 of the officers are from the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two serve in the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force.

The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed on Monday that a Special Investigative Panel had concluded its probe into the matter and determined that several of the officers had cases to answer. He said the affected personnel would now be prosecuted in line with established military procedures and extant regulations.

โ€œThe investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the conduct of the officers and identified actions that were inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards expected of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,โ€ Major Gen. Uba said.

He stressed that the process was purely disciplinary and aimed at preserving internal discipline, cohesion, and operational effectiveness within the armed forces.

The DHQ reiterated that the Nigerian military remains committed to civilian rule, noting that the armed forces have consistently affirmed their loyalty to democratic governance since Nigeriaโ€™s return to democracy in 1999.

The case has drawn heightened attention amid growing regional sensitivity to military takeovers in West Africa, where several countries have experienced coups in recent years. Nigeria, Africaโ€™s most populous nation, continues to grapple with multiple security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and separatist violence.

Indicted Officers

The Defence Headquarters released the full list of officers indicted by the investigative panel:

  • Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course)
  • Colonel M. A. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Regular Course)
  • Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th Regular Course)
  • Lieutenant Colonel A. A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th Regular Course)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Regular Course)
  • Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Regular Course)
  • Major A. J. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th Regular Course)
  • Major M. M. Jiddah (Katsina, 56th Regular Course)
  • Major M. A. Usman (FCT, 60th Regular Course)
  • Major D. Yusuf (Gombe, 59th Regular Course)
  • Major I. Dauda (Jigawa, DSSC 38)
  • Captain I. Bello (DSSC 43)
  • Captain A. A. Yusuf
  • Lieutenant S. S. Felix (DSSC)
  • Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi (Nigerian Navy)
  • Squadron Leader S. B. Adamu (Nigerian Air Force)

Most of the officers are drawn from the Infantry, Signals, and Ordnance Corps of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Background

Rumours of a coup plot first surfaced on social media in October 2025 but were dismissed at the time by the DHQ as false and misleading. The military urged the public to ignore what it described as misinformation spread by โ€œenemies of the nation.โ€

In the aftermath of the controversy, President Tinubu announced a reshuffle of the nationโ€™s military leadership, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeriaโ€™s national security architecture.

Under the changes, General Olufemi Oluyede replaced General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, while Major-General W. Shaibu was appointed Chief of Army Staff. Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke became Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumed office as Chief of Naval Staff. Only the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retained his position.

The Court Martial proceedings are expected to further test the militaryโ€™s internal accountability mechanisms at a time of heightened scrutiny across the region.

Ghana News

Historical Diasporans Returning to Africa Warned Against Feeling ‘Superior’: ย ‘Come Home Humbly, Build Together’

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In August 2020, as the world grappled with a pandemic and a long-overdue racial reckoning, a speech by Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao cut through the noise.

The message was for the African diaspora, and it remains urgently relevant today. Her words were a clarion call for return, but with a critical, non-negotiable condition: a radical shift in attitude.

As Ghanaโ€™s โ€œYear of Returnโ€ momentum evolved into the โ€œBeyond the Returnโ€ initiative, and as other African nations opened their doors, Dr. Chihombori-Quao, the former African Union Permanent Representative to the U.S., identified a silent threat to the homecoming dream: the ego of the returnee.

The ‘Been-To’ Mentality: A Barrier to Building

Dr. Chihombori-Quao didnโ€™t mince words. She spoke directly to the experience of being a “been-to,” a term used in Ghana for someone who has “been to” the West.

“We go back home with an attitude. We think just because we’ve been to, we know more than the ones at home. That attitude has got to change,” she stated.

This mindset, she argued, is a primary reason why many returnees struggle to find their footing. It creates an invisible wall, fostering a dynamic of superiority that alienates the very people essential for collaboration.

Whether it’s a continental African returning from the diaspora or an African American settling on the continent, the pitfall is the same: arriving as a lecturer, not a learner.

“The diaspora doesnโ€™t return to lecture. And the continent doesnโ€™t wait to be saved,” her comments remind us. The assumption that Western exposure equates to superior knowledge is not only incorrect, but it also erases the deep, contextual expertise held by those who never left. As she put it plainly, “Africans have a lot to teach you too.”

Solidarity, Not Superiority: The Partnership Paradigm

The core of her message is a redefinition of the returnee’s role. It is not about a heroic figure arriving to “save” Africa, a narrative steeped in colonial tropes. Instead, it is about showing up as an equal partner. “Going ‘back home’ isnโ€™t about superiority, itโ€™s about solidarity,” the sentiment encapsulates.

This means approaching every interaction with humility. It means listening to local entrepreneurs, understanding community needs, and respecting established systems. A returnee’s international expertise in finance, technology, or healthcare is invaluable, but it only becomes powerful when it is applied in partnership with local knowledge. The goal is to co-create solutions, not impose imported ones.

The Urgency of Organisation: A Space to Fill

Dr. Chihombori-Quaoโ€™s 2020 address also carried a stark warning about the geopolitical and economic realities of a rising Africa. She recalled a moment when President Trump addressed African leaders, mocking the paradox of a resource-rich continent with widespread poverty. The punchline was a call to action: Africa is open for business, and if the diaspora does not organize, others will.

“If you don’t show up and you stand up and be counted, next time the contracts go to the Chinese, shut up,” she asserted. This frames diaspora engagement not as a charitable endeavour, but as a strategic imperative. It is about claiming a seat at the table as the continent charts its own developmental agendaโ€”an agenda that envisions Africa as a unified market, not 54 fragmented nations.

For decades, other global powers have filled the space. The question she poses is whether the diaspora will remain a bystander or become a primary stakeholder in Africa’s future. “How do we give you contracts when we don’t know where you are? How do we know about your business when you don’t stand up?” she challenged.

Coming Home to Build Together

The ultimate takeaway from Dr. Chihombori-Quaoโ€™s enduring message is that the call to “come home” is profound, but the manner of arrival is what determines success. It is a call to come home and build together.

This means rejecting the labels of “been-to” and “local” that divide. It means exchanging condescension (looking down on local opinions) for contribution and pride for partnership.

The opportunity before the diaspora is immense. As Africa takes its place on the world stage, it invites its sons and daughters abroad to be part of the journeyโ€”not as saviours on a pedestal, but as humble collaborators in the trenches.

Because when we divide ourselves, as her words imply, we weaken the very future we claim to care about. And that is a risk the African renaissance cannot afford.

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Ghana News

Ghana News Live Updates: Catch up on all the Breaking News Today (Feb. 17, 2026)

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Stay tuned for real-time stories breaking in Ghana. Return to the page for more stories as they break. (Updated February 17, 2026).


Court Orders Businessman to Pay GHยข200,000 for Breach of Promise to Marry


An Accra Circuit Court has ordered a businessman to pay GHยข200,000 in damages to a woman for breach of promise to marry after he failed to fulfil his commitment following a long-term relationship. The ruling, delivered February 14, 2026, followed evidence that the defendant had repeatedly assured the plaintiff of marriage, including family introductions and public engagements, before abruptly ending the relationship without justification. The court found the breach caused emotional distress and financial loss to the plaintiff. The case highlights ongoing legal recognition of breach of promise claims in Ghanaian courts.
Read the full story here

Late Frafra Queen Motherโ€™s Grave Exhumed in Asante Mampong โ€“ Head Reportedly Chopped Off
The grave of the late Queen Mother of the Frafra community in Asante Mampong has been exhumed, with reports indicating her head was severed and removed. The incident, discovered on February 14, 2026, has shocked the traditional leadership and community, who suspect ritual or malicious intent. Police have launched an investigation, and chiefs have called for calm while traditional rites are performed to restore peace. The desecration has raised serious concerns about grave security and cultural respect in the Ashanti Region.
Read the full story here

COCOBOD Announces Salary Cuts, Cost Controls as Revenue Pressures Mount
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has introduced salary reductions for senior management and broad cost-control measures to address mounting revenue shortfalls and legacy debt. The February 14, 2026, announcement follows emergency Cabinet directives to stabilise the sector, with COCOBOD citing declining global cocoa prices, unpaid arrears, and financing constraints. The measures are intended to preserve operational capacity and ensure continuity of farmer payments and purchasing activities.
Read the full story here

Mahama Govt Has Made No Real Impact After One Year in Office โ€“ Afenyo-Markin
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticised the Mahama administration, stating that after one year in office, the government has failed to deliver tangible improvements in the lives of Ghanaians. In a February 14, 2026, address, he accused the NDC of recycling old policies, failing to address cost-of-living pressures, and lacking innovation in job creation and economic recovery. The Minority called for urgent results on the โ€œReset Ghanaโ€ promises made during the 2024 campaign.
Read the full story here

Mahama Rallies Fellow World Leaders to Support Accra Reset
President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to African and global leaders to support Ghanaโ€™s โ€œResetโ€ agenda during his address at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. On February 13, 2026, he outlined the initiativeโ€™s focus on governance renewal, economic transformation, anti-corruption measures, and regional cooperation, urging the AU to back Ghanaโ€™s efforts as a model for continental progress. Mahama also reiterated Ghanaโ€™s push for AfCFTA acceleration and debt relief mechanisms.
Read the full story here

Tony Aidoo Urges NDC to Focus on Policy Communication, Not Personal Praise for Mahama
Veteran NDC member Tony Aidoo has cautioned the party against excessive personal praise for President John Dramani Mahama, urging a shift toward clear policy communication and results. In comments on February 13, 2026, Aidoo said the focus should be on explaining the โ€œReset Ghanaโ€ agenda and delivering measurable outcomes rather than individual glorification. He emphasised that strong policy messaging will sustain public support more effectively than personality-driven narratives.
Read the full story here


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Ghana News

Newspaper Headlines Today: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

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Happy Monday! Stay informed with todayโ€™s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place. Newspapers forย February 17, 2026.

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