Court: Suspects Admit Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu

The Federal Government on Monday presented video evidence before the Federal High Court in Abuja in the trial of six people accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The defendants are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.

They are facing charges of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security information and money laundering linked to alleged terrorist acts. All six defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Former Bayelsa State governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was also mentioned in the charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The government said he is at large.

During Monday’s sitting, the prosecution played video clips showing some of the defendants speaking to investigators about the alleged plot.

In one of the clips, retired Major General Gana denied any knowledge of a plan to overthrow the government. He said he retired from the Nigerian Army in 2010 and had been living quietly since then.

Gana admitted knowing Colonel M. A. Ma’aji, who was named as the alleged coordinator of the plot, but said he only knew that Ma’aji had problems with his promotion. According to him, he would have reported the matter if he had known about any coup plan.

Investigators linked Gana to the case after tracing a N2 million transfer to him. He also admitted sharing old coup-related speeches and anti-government messages on WhatsApp, but said he only forwarded the materials and did not write or edit them.

The retired general denied carrying out surveillance around the Presidential Villa. He also denied helping to raise money for the alleged operation.

Retired Navy Captain Victor, the second defendant, admitted in the video that he knew about Ma’aji’s plan. He said Ma’aji had complained about his stalled promotion and, out of anger, spoke about overthrowing the government.

Victor said he advised Ma’aji against the idea and told him to consider retirement instead.

He also admitted that he was asked to help raise funds, provide financial support or assist in securing an apartment. He said he was promised an appointment if the alleged coup succeeded.

Victor, however, denied taking part in the plan. He admitted that he continued communicating with Ma’aji through a secure messaging app and said coded words were used in their conversations.

He said he regretted not reporting the matter to the authorities.

“I feel so bad that I find myself in this situation. I am pleading for clemency,” Victor said in the video.

Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who was attached to the State House, also appeared in the video. He said Ma’aji first contacted him to help with his promotion.

According to him, their discussion later moved from promotion matters to plans to overthrow the government.

Ibrahim admitted receiving between N1.4 million and N1.5 million. He also admitted moving around parts of the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House, to observe the area.

He said he took photographs of parts of the Villa, including the President’s residence and nearby surroundings. He also discussed possible access routes with the alleged plotters.

Ibrahim confirmed that coded words such as “fertiliser” and “farming” were used to refer to money and the alleged operation.

He, however, claimed that he only played along because he believed the plotters could not gain access to the State House. He said his involvement came from poor judgment and his relationship with the main suspect.

Before the video was played, defence lawyers objected. They argued that the statements were not made voluntarily and should not be admitted as evidence.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik rejected the objection and allowed the video to be played in open court. The judge said the court would later conduct a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were made freely.

The Federal Government alleged that the defendants conspired in September 2025 to wage war against the Nigerian state and intimidate President Tinubu.

The government also alleged that the defendants knew about the planned act but failed to report it to the President or security agencies.

The defendants were arraigned on April 22 and remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services.

The case was adjourned till Tuesday for further hearing.