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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Thursday, 21 October, 2004, 16:08 GMT 17:08 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Charges over Nigerian coup plot The military has ruled Nigeria for much of the recent past Three military officers and a businessman have been charged with plotting to assassinate President Olusegun Obasanjo by shooting down his helicopter. Best known is Major Hamza al-Mustapha, the former security chief under late Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha. Despite being in custody over a murder case, the prosecution allege he held prison meetings to plot the coup. The men pleaded not guilty to treason. Rumours The charges are the first official confirmation of a coup plot after months of speculation in Nigeria about an incident described by the government in April as a "serious breach of national security". Mustapha was head of Abacha's personal security All troops were recalled to barracks and all leave cancelled when the reports first emerged. Court documents accuse Major Mustapha of financing efforts to buy "a Stinger surface-to-air missile to be used in shooting down the president's helicopter with the president on board." Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999 - following years of military dictatorship. Major Mustapha has been in prison since then - accused of the attempted murder of a newspaper proprietor who criticised the Abacha regime. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectBakassi handover talks deadlockedEU envoy to pledge aid for DarfurDR Congo slams 'Tintin' ministerAfrica's big plan 'disappointing'UN urges end to Ugandan 'horror'Taylor aides' reprieve in LiberiaCharges over Nigerian coup plotSlapped Nigerian senator forgivesEthiopians given death sentencesMoroccans suffer from terror warZimbabwe releases apartheid spyLiberia school closes after riotsNigeria slams corruption ranking'Biggest' Africa HIV centre opensNigerian bishop's anger at churchTaking the pulse of GhanaSouth Africa's new multi-racial comedyCommission for Africa: African voicesShould radio phone-ins be banned?African elections: Your picturesSend us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  SEE ALSO: Nigeria probes military on 'coup' 15 Apr 04  |  Africa Nigeria soldiers recalled to base 08 Apr 04  |  Africa Nigeria probes 'security breach' 02 Apr 04  |  Africa Ex-Nigeria military chief missing 01 Apr 04  |  Africa Nigeria security crisis talks 09 Mar 04  |  Africa Nigeria governor survives ambush 03 Mar 04  |  Africa Country profile: Nigeria 17 Dec 03  |  Country profiles RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Nigerian Presidency The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW Bakassi handover talks deadlocked EU envoy to pledge aid for Darfur DR Congo slams 'Tintin' minister Africa's big plan 'disappointing' News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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