Trial of Alleged Nigerian Coup Conspirators to Reconvene on May 8

A new hearing date has been set for the court martial related to the thwarted coup attempt in Nigeria, with proceedings scheduled to resume on May 8, according to a Defence Headquarters spokesman who spoke to AFP on Monday.

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The trial involves 36 officers accused of plotting to overthrow the government, which would have marked the end of over 25 years of democratic rule in Africa's most populous nation if successful.

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The court martial was initiated on Friday, with the 36 officers appearing before newly sworn-in justices at a military facility in Abuja, the country's capital, to kick off the proceedings.

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The next court session, set for May 8, will be held in private, with no access granted to the media, as confirmed by military spokesman Major General Samaila Uba in a statement to AFP.

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In a separate development, six civilians are currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja for their alleged involvement in the coup plot, and have entered pleas of not guilty.

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Nigeria has a history of experiencing military takeovers, with the country spending a significant portion of the 20th century under junta rule following its independence from Britain in 1960.

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Since transitioning to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has maintained a civilian government, marking a significant departure from its past experiences with military-led regimes.