The court martial over last year’s alleged coup attempt in Nigeria is set to resume on May 8, the Defence Headquarters has confirmed, as proceedings continue against dozens of military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
A spokesman for the Defence Headquarters told AFP on Monday that the trial, which was formally inaugurated last Friday, will proceed behind closed doors at a military facility in the capital, Abuja.
Three dozen officers, 36 in total are standing trial over allegations that they conspired to stage a coup that, if successful, would have ended more than 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in Africa’s most populous nation.
Military spokesman Major General Samaila Uba said media access would remain restricted when the court reconvenes.
“The next sitting will also be behind closed doors,” he said, without providing further details on the evidence expected to be presented.
The proceedings began with the officers brought before newly sworn-in military judges as the court martial formally opened its hearing into the alleged plot.
In a parallel case, six civilians accused of involvement in the alleged conspiracy are currently facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. All six have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Nigeria has a long history of military rule, having experienced several coups in the decades following independence from Britain in 1960. The country spent much of the 20th century under military juntas before returning to civilian governance in 1999, which has remained in place since.