Court martial over coup plot to resume May 8 – DHQ

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Defence Headquarters.

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The court martial over last year’s foiled coup plot in Nigeria will resume on May 8, a spokesman for the country’s Defence Headquarters told AFP on Monday.

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Three dozen officers are on trial for allegedly planning to overthrow the government.

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If successful, this would have brought an end to more than a quarter-century of democracy in Africa’s most populous country.

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The court martial was “inaugurated” Friday, with 36 officers brought before the newly sworn-in justices for the opening of the proceedings, held at a military installation in the capital, Abuja.

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The next sitting will also be behind closed doors, with no media access, military spokesman Major General Samaila Uba told AFP.

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Separately, six civilians are on trial this week at Abuja’s Federal High Court for their alleged role in the plot.

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They have pleaded not guilty.

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Nigeria has seen several military takeovers in its history and spent much of the 20th century under junta rule after its independence from Britain in 1960.

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The west African nation transitioned to civilian rule in 1999 and has had a civilian government since.

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