The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that suspects arrested over the alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu will be released if investigations establish that they have no case to answer.
Musa made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, explaining that authorities were taking time to ensure that innocent individuals were not wrongly implicated in the matter.
According to the minister, only suspects identified as having played major roles in the alleged plot would proceed to face prosecution.
‘So, if you don’t have any case, after the investigation, they’ll be released. Those that have serious issues are the ones that are going,’ Musa said.
The Defence Minister said the ongoing investigation by security agencies was aimed at separating those allegedly involved in the plot from individuals who may have been wrongly linked to the case.
He added that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) were still handling investigations, while some suspects had already been charged before the courts.
‘We want to take time to make sure that anybody that is freed doesn’t deserve to be punished. All those ones that will go for prosecution should be the ones that are actually the main actors,’ he said.
Musa maintained that the alleged coup plot was real, describing those involved as ‘a bunch of misguided individuals’ who attempted to undermine Nigeria’s democratic system.
He dismissed suggestions that the alleged plot was politically motivated, saying the individuals involved were likely driven by nostalgia for past military regimes.
The minister said authorities were still searching for some suspects linked to the investigation, stressing that security agencies were being careful not to wrongly accuse innocent people.
The alleged coup plot came to public attention in October 2025 after the Defence Headquarters announced the arrest of 16 senior military officers over alleged acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
The military later linked the arrests to an alleged plan to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
An interim investigation report claimed that a network of military officers had been involved in preliminary preparations, including alleged surveillance of strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja and major airports.
The Federal Government subsequently filed charges against six individuals, including retired military officers and other suspects, over allegations bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security information and terrorism financing.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty, while proceedings continue before the court.
Meanwhile, serving military officers accused of involvement in the alleged plot are also facing proceedings before a General Court Martial.