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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

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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Ghana News

Russian Embassy Criticized for “Empty” Statement on Viral Exploitation Videos involving Citizen

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The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ghana has issued a brief statement in the wake of widespread public anger and social media uproar over allegations that Russian nationals are luring young Ghanaian women into filmed sexual encounters for online distribution without consent.

The release posted on X on February 16, 2026, fails to condemn the alleged exploitation, non-consensual recording, and distribution of intimate material by its nationals.

“The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ghana has taken note of the reports in the Ghanaian media on the alleged involvement of a supposedly Russian citizen engaged in sexual activities with some Ghanaian women and recorded those acts without consent,” the post read.

The response comes after days of viral outrage on X, TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp groups, where screenshots, testimonies, and alleged links to explicit content prompted hashtags such as #ProtectGhanaianWomen and #StopTheRussianScheme.

MP Sam George, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection, has announced Ghanaโ€™s intent to pursue extradition if the primary suspect.

Responses on X

Responses to the post have been stronly worded. One person posted:

“Never trust those Russian scum. They throw African men into their war as cannon fodder & treat African women like disposable sex toys. Pure racist evil. Predators, not partners. WAKE UP AFRICA.”

Another asked:

“Any action taken?”

Another asked:

“So after taking the note, what next?”

Ghanaian authorities have disclosed they will pursue extradition proceedings against the man, said to have left Ghana.

The decision was announced by Member of Parliament Sam George on February 13, 2026, following weeks of public outrage over the alleged scheme.

According to Sam George โ€” who chairs the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection โ€” the suspect is believed to be a Russian national who used dating apps and social media to target young Ghanaian women, particularly students and professionals in Accra and other urban centres.

Victims were reportedly lured with promises of money, gifts or relationships, only to discover later that explicit videos were uploaded to adult websites and shared in private groups, often leading to blackmail, humiliation and threats.

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