The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned 27-year-old Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume for allegedly advocating a military coup in Nigeria.
The six-count charge was filed on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025. The allegations relate to posts Onukwume made on his verified X account (@theagroman) in October 2025.
According to the DSS, Onukwume’s posts encouraged the removal of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the suspension of the federal government, and called for public support of the military in taking over the country.
The charges, filed by DSS counsel A.M. Danalami, cited violations of 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).
Some of the statements attributed to Onukwume include calls for a coup and the removal of President Bola Tinubu, 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.”
He allegedly also wrote that only the military could “reset” the country and accused the president of compromising national sovereignty, adding, “Tinubu has to go and APC has to die for Nigeria to have any semblance of normal life.”
Onukwume, who resides in Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, is expected to be formally arraigned later this week.
The case comes in the wake of reports of an alleged military plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration in October, which sparked nationwide outrage. Senior lawyers, civil society groups, and retired military officials warned against any attempt to subvert democracy.
The Defence Headquarters, however, dismissed the alleged plot, stating that there were no coup-related detentions or ongoing plans within the military.
The DSS continues to investigate the matter, emphasizing the seriousness of public calls for the subversion of democratic governance in Nigeria.
