Court Admits Evidence Against Six Defendants in Alleged Tinubu Coup Plot
The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted written statements and video recordings of six persons standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration through a coup d’état.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a ruling on Thursday, held that the defendants failed to establish their claims that the statements they made before a Special Investigation Panel and military police authorities were obtained through coercion.
The defendants had challenged the admissibility of the statements, arguing that they were not made voluntarily and that their rights to legal representation during interrogation were violated.
Their lawyers also alleged discrepancies between the video recordings and the written statements, urging the court to reject the evidence in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
However, following a trial-within-trial ordered to determine the voluntariness of the statements, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed the allegations of coercion and torture, describing the defendants’ claims as an afterthought.
The court consequently admitted the written statements and accompanying video recordings as evidence in the substantive trial.
Those facing trial are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.
They are answering to a 13-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering allegedly connected to terrorist activities.
The prosecution, led by the Federal Government, alleged that the defendants conspired in September 2025 to wage war against the Nigerian state with the intention of overpowering President Tinubu, contrary to Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
The government further accused them of having prior knowledge of the alleged plot involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failing to alert the appropriate authorities or take reasonable steps to prevent its execution.
The charges also include alleged offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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During earlier proceedings on May 20, one of the defendants, Umoru, an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc attached to the Maintenance Department at the Presidential Villa, disclosed details of an alleged plan to disrupt electricity supply to the seat of government.
In a video recording played before the court, Umoru said discussions were held about switching off power to the Presidential Villa to facilitate the alleged coup.
He claimed to have warned that such an action would immediately trigger investigations and lead to the detention of workers on duty.
Umoru further alleged that Ma’aji, the purported mastermind of the plot, offered him money through the third defendant, Inspector Ibrahim, to recruit between 18 and 19 personnel working within the Presidential Villa.
According to him, the proposed recruits included soldiers, Department of State Services (DSS) officials and Julius Berger employees.
He also told investigators that Ma’aji allegedly wanted access to the Presidential Villa and was prepared to gain entry by force if those approached from within refused to cooperate.
Similarly, the sixth defendant, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric based in Zaria, said in another video recording that he had warned those behind the alleged plot that it would fail and that their activities would eventually be exposed.
He claimed he was informed about the plan and subsequently asked to pray against the leakage of information concerning the alleged conspirators.
The charge also mentioned former Bayelsa State Governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who was alleged to be at large after leaving the country before the plot was exposed.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges during their arraignment on April 22 and were subsequently remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In an earlier ruling, the court granted the Federal Government permission to conceal the identities of Nigerian Army witnesses because of the sensitive nature of the case.
The prosecution has also presented three bank officials who tendered financial documents, including correspondence obtained from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until December 7 and 10 for continuation of the hearing.
By PRNigeria
