By Sandra Kenneth
The General Court Martial presiding over the trial of military officers accused of attempting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has once again delayed its ruling, marking the fourth postponement in the high-profile proceeding.
The decision, originally scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, has been rescheduled to Monday, October 5, 2026.
According to an official notice sent to panel members and parties involved in the case, signed by Liaison Officer Major M.U. Ardo, proceedings will resume at 10:00 a.m. at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja. The notice provided no specific reason for the delay.
The impending ruling follows a crucial “trial-within-a-trial” to determine the legal admissibility of statements extracted from the accused officers during their detention.
Defense counsel has fiercely contested the evidence, alleging that officers were coerced, intimidated, and physically abused by personnel from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to force them into signing or reproducing pre-written confessions. Counsel further pointed out procedural flaws, noting that chosen legal representation and independent witnesses were excluded during interrogation sessions, and highlighted the lack of video recordings to verify the voluntariness of the statements.
In response, the prosecution maintains that all statements were obtained lawfully, voluntarily, and without improper pressure, presenting evidence aimed at dismissing the allegations of torture.
The tribunal is presided over by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji of the Nigerian Air Force. Its outcome on October 5 will dictate whether the prosecution can admit the disputed statements as core evidence as the trial continues.
