News
Crackdown Begins as DHQ Finalises Arraignment of Alleged Coup Plotters
The Defence Headquarters on Monday said personnel indicted after investigations into alleged misconduct by some military officers, which uncovered claims of a plot to overthrow the government, will be arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel.
Security and military sources familiar with the matter said President Bola Tinubu had expressed confidence in the military to try the indicted officers. This comes amid appeals by a pro-democracy group urging the Federal Government to consider the health and welfare of officers detained in connection with the matter.
In October 2025, the DHQ announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
Shortly after, Sahara Reporters alleged that the officers—ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General—were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency for holding secret meetings to topple the government, and linked the alleged plot to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.
At the time, the then Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau (retd), dismissed the report as an attempt to create tension and distrust, stating that the matter was a purely internal disciplinary issue. He said an investigative panel had been constituted and that its findings would be made public.
Providing an update on Monday, the new Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, stated that a comprehensive investigation had now been concluded in accordance with established military procedures, and the report had been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.
According to Uba, the findings identified several officers with cases to answer over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, a conduct he described as inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He said the investigation report has now been forwarded to the appropriate superior authority. The statement partly read, “The Defence Headquarters issued a press statement in October 2025 regarding the arrest of sixteen officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that investigations into the matter have been concluded and the report forwarded to the appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.
“The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel. The findings have identified a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government, which is inconsistent with the ethics, values, and professional standards required of members of the AFN. “
Uba said those indicted would be formally arraigned before relevant military judicial panels to face trial in line with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations, stressing that the process would ensure accountability while upholding fairness and due process.
He emphasised that the measures being taken were purely disciplinary and formed part of institutional mechanisms aimed at preserving order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the ranks.
Uba said, “Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations. This ensures accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process.
“The AFN reiterates that measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the ranks. The Armed Forces remain resolute in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, loyalty, and respect for constitutional authority.”
Plot to breach Presidential Villa security
Security and military sources have revealed that the alleged coup plotters successfully infiltrated the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with some of the perpetrators identified as serving military officers. According to the sources, the plotters conducted detailed surveillance. They assessed security installations and identified vulnerabilities in the Villa’s defences before the plot was uncovered.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, a Presidential Villa security source told The PUNCH that the plotters had infiltrated the Villa and had perfected plans to carry out the act.
“The coup plotters actually compromised the Villa, entered the Villa, some of them military officers. They have accessed the Villa and its security installations and vulnerabilities,” the source said.
News
Nigerian Gov Announces Fresh Public Holiday for Workers Across State
The Ekiti State Government has declared Friday, June 19, 2026, a work-free day for public servants in the state.
Naija News reports that the government said the holiday was to enable workers to travel to their respective voting centres ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary to the Head of Service, Janet Ajibola.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has graciously declared Friday, 19th June, 2026, as a work-free day for all public servants across the state,” the statement read.
Ajibola said the directive was addressed to commissioners, special advisers, the Secretary to the State Government, permanent secretaries, the Clerk of the House, heads of tertiary institutions, the Registrar of the High Court of Justice, general managers, executive secretaries and heads of departments.
“For the purpose of public safety and continuity of essential services, hospitals and health centres, fire service departments and other essential service providers are exempted and shall continue to provide appropriate services,” the statement added.
The Permanent Secretary urged heads of exempted essential institutions to ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the election period.
She also directed chief executive officers and accounting officers across state parastatals to ensure compliance and wide circulation of the directive.
News
BREAKING: Mixed Reactions as Tinubu Announces Fresh Appointment
The news of Kunle Elebute by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). has started generating reactions from Nigerians.
Kunle Elebute, a renowned chartered accountant and financial management consultant, as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).
This was disclosed in a statement by the presidency on Thursday, June 18, adding that his appointment, adding that his appointment was meant to strengthen corporate governance, deepen accountability and transparency, as well as enhance the confidence of investors within the financial reporting ecosystem of Nigeria.
According to The Punch, Elebute is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with over 40 years of professional experience in Nigeria, West Africa and the world at large. Elebute had earlier served as the senior partner and chief executive officer of KPMG Nigeria, the KPMG West Africa chairman and the chairman of KPMG Africa.
Also, he had served on the regional and global boards of KPMG, such as its Global Board Audit Committee.
In the statement, he was described as a highly respected professional with wide experience in financial advisory services, auditing, strategic transformation, risk consulting and corporate governance.
Below are some of their comments:
Segun Benson said the appointment should have gone to another qualified person in another region of the country: “I would have expected Mr President to appoint a qualified person from another region.. no shades.”
Dimeji Lawal said that Nigerians are on the lookout for the effect of the appointment: “The appointment is one thing. The impact of the appointment is what Nigerians will be watching.”
Danjuma claimed that Tinubu’s appointments are following a particular pattern of the late former president Muhammadu Buhari: “I like Tinubu for this, he is following the footsteps of Buhari, who fulanised Nigeria with his appointments.”
Shamsuddeen commended the appointment of Elebute by President Tinubu, describing it as wonderful: “That’s another wonderful selection by President Tinubu GCFR by appointing Mr Elebute. Congratulations sir.”
News
Tinubu Makes Fresh Top Appointment
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Kunle Elebute as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.
Naija News reports that the appointment was disclosed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Mr. Kunle Elebute
Elebute is a former Chief Executive Officer of KPMG Nigeria and previously served as Chairman of KPMG Africa.
During his illustrious career, he also served on KPMG’s regional and global boards, including its Global Board Audit Committee.
He is an accountant and economist with several decades of experience in auditing, financial advisory, corporate governance, and business consulting.
“Mr Elebute’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as the FRCN advances key institutional priorities, including ongoing engagements under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and broader efforts to align Nigeria’s corporate reporting framework with international best practices.
“The Federal Government is confident that his wealth of experience, leadership, and governance expertise will further strengthen the Council’s mandate and support the Renewed Hope Agenda’s objective of building a more transparent, competitive, and investment-friendly economy,” the statement added.
The Financial Reporting Council is the agency responsible for setting and enforcing accounting, auditing, actuarial, valuation, and corporate governance standards in Nigeria.
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