By Obasola Olatunde
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a six count charge against a 27 year old man, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, for allegedly calling for a military coup and the overthrow of the Nigerian government through posts made on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.
Filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, the charges accuse Onukwume of inciting the military to depose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and suspend the federal government.
According to court documents signed by DSS counsel A.M. Danalami, the posts, made in October 2025, contravene Sections 46A(1) and 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act and Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).
The DSS cited several posts where Onukwume allegedly wrote statements such as:
“A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government and join the AES. That is all we need now.”
“Tinubu has to go and APC has to die for Nigeria to have any semblance of normal life… Only the military can reset this country.”
Onukwume, said to reside at Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo Local Government Area, Rivers State, is expected to be arraigned later this week.
His arrest follows reports in October alleging a plot by some military officers to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration a claim that drew nationwide condemnation from civil society groups, lawyers, and retired military officers.
However, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the reports, insisting that there was no coup related plot or detention within the ranks.