The Nigerian military has inaugurated a general court-martial to try 36 personnel accused of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The court-martial, set up by the defence headquarters, was inaugurated on Friday at the Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, under tight security, with proceedings held behind closed doors.

Accredited journalists, including defence correspondents who had received prior invitations, were denied access to the venue.

Security personnel also barred the use of mobile phones as the 36 defendants were transported to the facility in an Army Headquarters Garrison bus at about 8:53 a.m.

The military trial is running alongside separate criminal proceedings initiated by the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

On April 22, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, arraigned other suspects linked to the same alleged plot before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. The defendants — including retired military officers, a police inspector, and civilians — pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and money laundering.

The prosecution alleges the group conspired in 2025 to overthrow the government and failed to report the plot. The court has ordered their remand in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), with an accelerated hearing scheduled for April 27.

The parallel trials have triggered legal debate. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged the AGF to invoke Section 174 of the Constitution to discontinue the military trial and consolidate all cases before the Federal High Court.

“Courts-martial lack the jurisdiction to handle such grave constitutional offences,” Falana said, arguing that treason and terrorism cases fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of civilian courts.

He also questioned the consistency of prosecuting some suspects in civilian courts while trying others before a military tribunal over the same allegations.

The military had earlier said the alleged coup plot was uncovered through internal intelligence, leading to multiple arrests. Meanwhile, families of the accused and activist Omoyele Sowore have called for a transparent, civilian-led trial to safeguard the defendants’ fundamental rights.

For an average 9-5er, having a job isn’t enough. You want a career that grows with you, gives you stability, and opens doors to bigger opportunities. People everywhere are looking for workplaces that don’t just pay salaries but actually invest in their staff, helping them learn, lead, and succeed.

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Conversion Programme: Turning Opportunities Into Careers

Needless to say that there is no desire for the 9-5er to remain in a temporary role when they can secure a full-time career. With FirstBank’s Conversion Programme, eligible non-core employees who have served for at least one year can transition into permanent positions. This initiative ensures that hardworking staff are rewarded with stability, growth, and the chance to contribute more meaningfully to the Bank’s success.

Leadership Programmes: Grooming the Next Generation

FirstBank has designed three flagship programmes to identify and nurture high-potential talents:

• FirstBank Management Associate Programme (FMAP): A 24-month fast-track initiative that grooms future middle managers. Upon completion, participants are promoted to Assistant Manager grade, regardless of their previous grade.
• Leadership Acceleration Programme (LAP): Focused on preparing internal middle-management talents for leadership responsibilities, ensuring the Bank’s succession pipeline remains strong.
• Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP): A programme for senior managers who are proven leaders in their functions and critical to the Bank’s succession plan.

These programmes are not just training—they are career accelerators, designed to put staff on the fast lane to leadership.

FirstAcademy: Learning With Global Standards

Backing these initiatives is FirstAcademy, FirstBank’s corporate university, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Staff also benefit from partnerships with institutions like Rome Business School and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), gaining access to world-class training—often at discounted rates

A Workplace That Values People

FirstBank’s parent company, First HoldCo PLC, was named second in the Best Workplaces in Financial Services in Nigeria. The Bank remains firmly committed to responsible employment practices, ensuring that all colleagues are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

The Future Is Human

With these initiatives, FirstBank is showing that its greatest investment is its people. By empowering staff through various growth opportunities, the Bank is not just building a workforce, it is cultivating leaders who will shape the future of banking in Nigeria and beyond.

FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and the leading financial inclusion service provider, has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament. The announcement was made at the official press conference of the tournament held on 16 March 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

ChessMasters is an annual chess tournament designed to equip the next generation with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The competition targets children in primary school aged between 6 and 11 years old. Organised by Eko Hotels and Suites & KEY Academy , ChessMasters was created to provide thousands of children across Nigeria with opportunities to develop modern educational skills, bringing schools together on a national stage.

Speaking at the press conference, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said, “Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative, a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports. With over a century of supporting legacy sports in Nigeria, we are proud of our enduring partnerships  – 105 years with the Georgian Cup, 65 years with the Lagos Amateur Golf Championship and 35 years with the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship.”

Ijabiyi further highlighted how the sponsorship aligns with FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare. “We recognise the potential of chess to help school-age children challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at the highest level, hence we see the tournament as a launchpad for a pan-African movement leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development. We are utilising this platform as another avenue to promote social impact and drive positive change in the community.”

Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co- Founder of ChessMasters and her partner Damilola Okonkwo of Key Academy, expressed appreciation for FirstBank’s support, noting that the partnership will help scale the impact of ChessMasters and inspire more schools to participate. “We are happy to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds. With support from partners like FirstBank, we are opening the doors of participation to more children and more schools in this year’s edition.”

Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, commended the initiative, emphasising its role in nurturing future chess talents. “Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children to be analytical, patient, and manage their time and resources effectively. Chess also improves concentration and has been particularly beneficial for children with autism.”

The second edition of ChessMasters will be held on Saturday, 2 May 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The competition is open to 150 schools across Lagos, with over 700 students expected to participate and vie for a total prize pool of N10 million.

FirstBank’s involvement in the 2026 edition of the tournament reinforces the potential of ChessMasters to become a launchpad for African children, leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development.