A spokesperson for the DHQ, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed that about 36 officers are currently facing trial over their alleged involvement in the failed coup attempt.

He said the proceedings, which began last week in Abuja, are being held inside a military facility under strict security arrangements.

According to him, all further sessions of the court martial will continue to be conducted without public or media access, adding that the next sitting will also hold behind closed doors.

The court martial was formally inaugurated on Friday, with the accused officers appearing before a panel of military judges as proceedings commenced.

The case is regarded as one of the most notable military prosecutions in recent years.

In a related development, six civilians are also being prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the same plot. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Nigeria, which gained independence from Britain in 1960, experienced several military coups in its early post-independence years but has maintained uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999.

Bernard first caught widespread attention after an impressive performance at the HBCU showcase.

According to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Bernard measured 6-foot-4½ and 306 pounds, with 11-inch hands and nearly 36-inch arms at the NFL’s HBCU showcase. Feldman also noted that some observers described him as looking like a “Marvel creation” due to his rare physical build.

He reportedly recorded a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-10 broad jump—14 inches further than any other defensive tackle at this year’s combine—alongside a 4.63-second 40-yard dash and just 6% body fat.

The Eagles have previously succeeded with similar developmental projects, most notably rugby convert Jordan Mailata, and will hope Bernard can follow a similar path. He has trained as a defensive tackle but may also be considered for an offensive tackle role.

Elsewhere in the draft, the Miami Dolphins selected British tight end Seydou Traore with the 180th pick, making him the first graduate of the NFL Academy to be drafted.

Traore, who grew up in London and played for the London Warriors before joining the International Player Pathway programme, was announced by former NFL Academy player Efe Obada at the draft in Pittsburgh.

Obada described the moment as symbolic, saying it represented “living proof that the dream is possible.”

Traore becomes the third International Player Pathway athlete drafted, following Jordan Mailata and Travis Clayton. During his college career at Arkansas State and Mississippi State, he recorded 131 receptions for 1,482 yards and 10 touchdowns across 48 games.

Miami general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan described him as a “raw, athletic ball of clay” with significant upside, adding that the team believed his best football is still ahead and that he was selected at strong value in the fifth round.