The military has again postponed ruling by the General Court Martial hearing the case involving officers accused of an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The ruling earlier scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, has been shifted to Monday, October 5.
A notice to members of the court and parties confirmed the change.
“The GCM sitting earlier adjourned to Wednesday, 30 September, 2026, has now been postponed to Monday, 5 October, 2026,” the notice stated. “The new sitting is scheduled to commence at 10am at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja.”
The notice signed by Major M.U. Ardo, Liaison Officer, did not give a reason for the postponement but apologised for any inconvenience.
This is the fourth time the ruling has been deferred. The court is expected to rule on admissibility of statements allegedly obtained from some accused officers after a trial-within-trial to determine whether they were made voluntarily.
Defence lawyers challenged the prosecution’s attempt to tender the statements, alleging some officers were coerced by Defence Intelligence Agency officials into making or reproducing statements containing false information.
They alleged the officers were not allowed lawyers or witnesses of their choice, questioned the absence of video recordings showing them writing statements in presence of witnesses, citing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and alleged they were not properly cautioned or informed of their rights.
The prosecution presented evidence to establish that the statements were voluntary.
Some accused officers alleged they were subjected to coercion, intimidation, inducement and physical abuse in detention and made to believe reproducing particular statements would secure their release. They claimed some statements were pre-written and they were compelled to copy or sign them despite having no knowledge of contents.
The prosecution disputes the allegations.
The General Court Martial is presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji, with proceedings at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja. Its ruling will determine whether the disputed statements can be admitted as evidence.
The officers face allegations connected to an alleged attempt to overthrow the Tinubu administration. The allegations have not been established by final judgment.
