An officer of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja, detailing how investigators uncovered an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside financial and operational links tying the accused persons to the plan.
The witness, a member of the Army Corps of Military Police, appeared in the ongoing trial of six defendants facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering.
Those standing trial include retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; Presidential Villa electrician Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani. The defendants were arraigned on April 22 and all pleaded not guilty.
During proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the prosecution presented four witnesses, including three bank officials from Jaiz Bank, SunTrust Bank, and Providus Bank, who submitted correspondence with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission along with account records admitted as evidence.
The fourth witness, an Army officer, testified under protective measures granted under Section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, with his identity shielded for security reasons. Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo told the court the protection was necessary to prevent “unnecessary attack” on the witness, while defence lawyers insisted his identity be disclosed to them to ensure a fair trial. The court granted full anonymity in public records.
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In his testimony, the officer said intelligence reports initially received by the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, now Chief of Defence Staff, pointed to a serving officer, Col. Mohammed Maaji, as the alleged coordinator of a plot involving military personnel and civilians, including former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva.
“Upon receipt of the intelligence report, it was analysed, processed and found to be credible, and the Chief of Army Staff directed our team to investigate the allegations,” he told the court.
He said Maaji was later arrested, with investigators recovering electronic devices, including a Samsung Galaxy Z-series phone, and a jotter said to contain operational details.
According to the witness, the materials revealed names and structures linked to what investigators described as a regime change plan.
“Inside the jotter, we found operational plans, names and designation of ranking members of the current regime as well as officers that were to be assassinated,” he said.
The officer added that forensic analysis of the phone uncovered communications allegedly linking Maaji to some of the defendants and others already facing trial, as well as documents outlining what he described as “post-coup arrangements.”
During the hearing, defence counsel Muhammed Ndayako (SAN) objected to what he termed premature conclusions, urging the court to restrain the witness from asserting that a coup plot had been established. However, Justice Abdulmalik directed that such objections be addressed during cross-examination or final arguments.
The witness further testified that financial investigations revealed alleged monetary links between Col. Maaji, some of the defendants, and Sylva, naming Purple Waves Limited as a possible conduit.
“We found financial trails between Col Maaji, Mr Sylva and some of the defendants,” he said.
He stated that analysis of bank records, carried out with assistance from the EFCC, showed multiple transactions amounting to hundreds of millions of naira between September and October 2025, including transfers of N100m, N80m, N70m, N50m, and N90m.
According to him, despite varying descriptions attached to the transactions, investigators connected them to activities under scrutiny.
The officer also told the court that investigators visited Green Land Apartment and Brookville Hotel in Abuja, where meetings linked to the alleged plot were said to have taken place. Documents including hotel records, receipts, and booking details were admitted in evidence despite objections from the defence.
He alleged that discussions at the locations centred on “regime change,” identification of assassination targets, and allocation of roles among participants, adding that receipts confirmed payments for rooms used for such meetings.
The court also heard that some of the suspects made statements before a military investigation panel and the military police, which were video-recorded and voluntarily given.
However, when the prosecution attempted to tender the video evidence, defence lawyers objected on the grounds that the materials had not been previously disclosed. Justice Abdulmalik acknowledged the procedural lapse and directed the prosecution to comply with requirements before proceeding.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 4 for continuation of the trial.