The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, a 27-year-old resident of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo Local Government Area in Rivers State, on a six-count charge accusing him of calling for a military coup in Nigeria. The charges were filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025.
According to the DSS, Onukwume posted inciting messages on his verified X social media account (@theagroman) in October 2025, calling for the overthrow of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government and urging the military to take over the leadership of the country. The service stated that his actions were contrary to and punishable under Sections 46A(1) and 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, alongside Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).
One of the specific alleged posts cited reads: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigeria government and join the AES. That is all we need now.” Another post attributed to Onukwume stated, “Tinubu has to go and APC has to die for Nigeria to have any semblance of normal life. And if you think your stupid votes can remove Tinubu, I’m here to tell you that you’re a fool.”
He also wrote, “It will happen eventually, Nigerian. The military needs your support now! Only them can save this country. The bastardd in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West and they run our intelligence apparatus only the military can reset this country.”
DSS counsel A.M. Danalami, who filed the charges, emphasized that these posts constituted a direct call for the suspension of democratic governance and presented a serious threat to national security and public order. Onukwume’s prosecution follows recent public concerns about alleged coup plots within the military—claims firmly denied by the Defence Headquarters, which stated that no coup attempt or related detentions have occurred within the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Defence Headquarters also described some related arrests as strictly disciplinary and unrelated to any coup activities.
Onukwume is expected to be formally arraigned later this week as the court continues proceedings on the matter.
