The Nigerian Army on Wednesday confirmed before the Federal High Court in Abuja that there was a plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu through a coup d’état, as a protected witness testified against six alleged masterminds.
A soldier from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, whose identity was shielded by court order, appeared as the fourth prosecution witness and gave evidence linking the defendants to the alleged conspiracy. The accused include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, and three others—Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Also mentioned in the charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation was former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is said to be at large after allegedly fleeing the country before the plot was uncovered.
Testifying under the pseudonym “AAA,” the witness told the court that he was part of the investigative team set up after the Chief of Army Staff, General O. O. Oluyede, received intelligence reports indicating that Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others were planning to topple the democratically elected government.
According to the witness, the intelligence was analysed and deemed credible, prompting a directive for a full-scale investigation. He said Colonel Ma’aji was subsequently arrested, and items recovered from him included a Samsung Galaxy phone and a jotter containing what investigators described as operational plans for the coup.
The jotter, the witness said, detailed names and positions of top government officials and military officers marked as targets, as well as proposed political and structural changes to be implemented after the takeover. Forensic analysis of the recovered phone allegedly revealed communications and plans linking the defendants, military personnel, and civilians to the plot.
The witness further told the court that financial trails connected Colonel Ma’aji, some of the defendants, and Timipre Sylva, with funds allegedly exchanged in support of the operation. He added that coded language was also discovered in the phone, used by the alleged conspirators to communicate.
Investigators also traced financial transactions through a company identified as Purple Wave, which was allegedly used to channel funds for the plot. Records obtained from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission showed multiple transactions between September and October 2025, including several debits ranging from ₦50 million to ₦100 million, which the prosecution claims were diverted to finance the coup.
The witness said meetings were held at locations including Green Land Apartment and BrookVille Hotel in Abuja, where participants allegedly discussed plans for regime change, shared roles, and identified key targets such as military barracks and major highways. He added that vehicles were procured and modified for operational use, while consultations and other preparatory activities were also carried out.
During proceedings, the court admitted several pieces of evidence, including financial records, phone extracts, and documents linked to hotel bookings, despite objections from defence counsel. A flash drive containing audiovisual recordings of statements made by the defendants was also tendered, though the court directed that it be served on the defence before being played in open court.
Earlier, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted an application by the Federal Government to protect the identities of certain witnesses, citing the sensitive nature of the case. She ruled that their names and personal details should not appear in public records, noting that the law allows such measures where security concerns exist.
The defendants, who pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge upon arraignment on April 22, are facing allegations including treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorist activities. They are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services pending the outcome of the trial.
The court adjourned further hearing in the case until May 4 and 5.
