Alleged Coup Plot: Detained Army Colonel Drags FG To Court

A Nigerian Army officer, Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, has filed a case against the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging his continued detention since September 2025.

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Naija News reports that the case, brought under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules of 2009, is seeking his release from custody and payment of ₦500 million as compensation over what he described as a violation of his rights.

The suit lists the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence as defendants. It questions why he has been held for months without being taken before a court.

Through his lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), the officer argued that being kept in custody for over six months without trial goes against his rights to freedom and dignity as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Court documents show that Ma’aji was arrested around September 30, 2025, along with others, over claims of a plot to remove the government. Since then, he has remained in a military facility in Abuja.

He also claimed that he has not been allowed to see his family or lawyers and has not received proper medical attention during his time in detention.

The officer said the authorities have not taken steps to charge him in court within the time allowed by law, despite saying investigations have been completed. He based his argument on provisions in the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Among his requests, he asked the court to declare his detention unlawful and order that he be freed immediately. As another option, he asked the court to direct the authorities to bring him before a court within seven days.

He is also asking for ₦500 million as damages for the months he has spent in detention.

An affidavit filed by a litigation officer in his lawyer’s office stated that he has been kept away from communication since his arrest and no formal charge has been filed against him.

The court has not yet fixed a date to hear the case.