The General Court Martial handling the alleged coup plot case involving some military officers accused of attempting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has again postponed its ruling.
The ruling, which was earlier scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, has now been moved to Monday, October 5, 2026.
A notice issued to members of the court and other concerned parties said the sitting had been shifted, with the new proceedings scheduled to begin at 10am at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja.
‘The GCM sitting earlier adjourned to Wednesday, 30 September, 2026, has now been postponed to Monday, 5 October, 2026,’ the notice stated.
The notice, signed by Major M.U. Ardo, the Liaison Officer, did not provide reasons for the latest postponement but expressed regret over any inconvenience caused.
The latest delay marks the fourth time the court has deferred the ruling in the case.
The pending decision is expected to determine whether statements allegedly obtained from some of the accused officers will be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial.
The defence lawyers had challenged the admissibility of the statements, alleging that some of the accused officers were coerced by officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) into making or reproducing statements they said contained false information.
During the trial-within-a-trial conducted by the court, the defence argued that the statements failed to meet legal requirements for admissibility.
They alleged that some officers were not allowed to have lawyers or witnesses of their choice present when the statements were obtained.
The defence also questioned the absence of video recordings showing the officers making the statements in the presence of their chosen witnesses, as required under relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The lawyers further argued that some of the accused officers were not properly cautioned or adequately informed of their rights before making the statements.
However, the prosecution maintained that the statements were made voluntarily and without coercion, presenting evidence aimed at establishing that the accused officers were not subjected to improper pressure.
Some of the officers, while giving evidence during the trial-within-a-trial, alleged that they were subjected to intimidation, inducement and physical abuse during detention.
They claimed they were made to believe that reproducing certain statements would lead to their release.
Some also alleged that documents had already been prepared by intelligence officials and that they were compelled to copy or sign statements containing claims they said they did not originate.
The officers further told the court that some of the contents of the statements did not reflect their personal knowledge of events.
The General Court Martial is headed by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji of the Nigerian Air Force.
The court’s eventual ruling on the disputed statements is expected to determine whether the prosecution can rely on the evidence in the ongoing proceedings.