The General Court Martial hearing the alleged coup plot case involving some military officers accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has postponed its much-anticipated ruling for the fourth time.
The ruling, originally scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, will now be delivered on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10 a.m.
The court is sitting at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.
In a notice circulated to members of the court and other parties, the military announced the latest postponement without giving a reason.
“The GCM sitting earlier adjourned to Wednesday, 30 September, 2026, has now been postponed to Monday, 5 October, 2026.”
The notice was signed by Major M.U. Ardo, the court’s Liaison Officer, who expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the change.
At the heart of the delay is a crucial legal battle over statements allegedly made by some of the accused officers.
The defence has fiercely challenged the admissibility of the statements, alleging that some officers were subjected to coercion, intimidation, inducement and physical abuse while in detention by officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency.
The allegations emerged during a trial-within-a-trial, conducted specifically to determine whether the disputed statements were obtained lawfully and voluntarily.
Defence lawyers argued that the statements failed to satisfy legal requirements for admissibility. They questioned whether lawyers or witnesses chosen by some of the accused officers were present when the statements were taken.
They also raised questions over the absence of video recordings allegedly required to show the officers making their statements in the presence of their selected witnesses.
The defence further alleged that some of the officers were not properly cautioned or adequately informed of their legal rights before making the statements.
But the prosecution has rejected the allegations, presenting evidence aimed at establishing that the statements were made voluntarily and without improper pressure.
Some of the accused officers, however, gave a dramatically different account.
According to evidence before the court, some alleged that they were pressured into reproducing statements that had already been prepared by intelligence officials.
They claimed they were made to believe that copying or signing the documents could secure their release, despite allegedly knowing little or nothing about some of the claims contained in them.
Some officers further testified that they did not personally originate the statements attributed to them and alleged that they were compelled to reproduce documents containing what they described as false or unrelated information.
The court must now decide whether those disputed statements can legally be admitted as evidence.
That decision could have significant consequences for the continuing military proceedings, as it will determine whether the prosecution can rely on the contested statements in making its case.
The General Court Martial is presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji of the Nigerian Air Force.
For now, the courtroom remains in suspense.
The next date is October 5.
Coup Trial Ruling Delayed Again as Military Court Faces Fresh Setback
