Coup Plot Trial: Lawyers Accuse DIA Of Monitoring Private Talks With Tinubu’s Alleged Plotters

Lawyers representing individuals accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu have accused the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) of interfering with their confidential consultations by allegedly assigning an official to monitor discussions with their clients.

The legal team, which includes Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olalekan Ojo, said it refused to proceed with scheduled interviews on Monday because an agency staff member was allegedly attached to the meetings to listen to conversations between the lawyers and their clients.

According to one of the lawyers, the arrangement came as a surprise to the legal team when they arrived at the DIA facility in Abuja to conduct the consultations.

The counsel said the lawyers objected to the presence of the official, insisting that they could not continue with the interviews unless the consultations were conducted privately.

The legal team reportedly raised the matter with the DIA coordinator but said the agency maintained that its officials had to be present during the meetings.

Following the disagreement, the lawyers resolved not to proceed with the interviews while third parties remained present. They maintained that private consultations were necessary for them to discuss their clients’ cases freely and prepare their defence.

The lawyers also disclosed that Ojo advised members of the legal team to formally report the alleged incident to the court in writing while awaiting a resolution.

The allegations have introduced another point of contention into the legal proceedings involving individuals accused of participating in an alleged plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration. The DIA’s response to the lawyers’ claims was not included in the information available for this report.

The alleged coup plot became public after the military arrested serving and retired officers in late September 2025. The Defence Headquarters initially described the arrests as relating to disciplinary matters before subsequently acknowledging an investigation into an alleged coup plot.

The matter has since involved military proceedings before a General Court Martial and separate criminal proceedings against six alleged conspirators before the Federal High Court.

The defendants in the civilian cases have denied wrongdoing, while some have challenged the admissibility of statements and other evidence presented by prosecutors.

Investigators have alleged that the purported plot involved plans to seize strategic government and military facilities and take control of key communication points. The allegations remain subject to the relevant judicial proceedings.

The military proceedings are being held at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the lawyers’ allegations have raised questions about confidential access to clients and the conduct of defence consultations in cases involving national security. The claims concerning the DIA’s alleged monitoring have not been independently established in the information provided.