The Nigeria armed forces on Friday inaugurated a panel of justices for a General Court Martial to try 36 serving officers accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot, the Defence Headquarters said.

Authorities had denied reports of the plot late last year before announcing in January that a plan to overthrow the government had been foiled.

The Defence Headquarters said the court would try the personnel for alleged mutiny “aimed at overthrowing the government of the day,” a statement by spokesman Major General Samaila Uba said.

No date was given for the start of proceedings, but the military said the trial would adhere to “the highest standards of fairness”.

CliqMetro gathered that the accused officers were taken to a military facility in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Friday morning for the inauguration. The ceremony was reportedly held behind closed doors.

Earlier six civilians, including a retired major general, were this week charged at the Abuja Federal High Court over the alleged plot. They pleaded not guilty.

Those charged are retired major general Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.

According to court documents, they are accused of conspiring to “levy war against the State to overawe the President of the Federal Republic”.

They are also accused of failing to report knowledge that Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others intended to commit treason. Ma’aji has been identified in previous local media reports as the alleged mastermind.

The names of the officers facing the court martial were not disclosed. The military announced last year the arrest of 16 officers over what it described as “issues of indiscipline”. Despite initial denials, sources later said the arrests were linked to the alleged coup attempt.

In January, the military said some of the officers would face trial for plotting to overthrow the government.