ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Nigerian Army on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that it uncovered a detailed plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, revealing alleged plans that included assassinations, financial backing, and coordinated attacks.
A witness from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, identified only as “AAA” due to a court order protecting his identity, testified as the fourth prosecution witness against six defendants standing trial over the alleged coup.
The defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Also mentioned in the charge is former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, who prosecutors alleged fled the country before the plot was exposed.
Led in evidence by Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness told the court that the investigation began after the then Chief of Army Staff, General O. O. Oluyede, received intelligence about a planned coup involving Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others.
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, during which a Samsung Galaxy phone and a jotter were recovered.
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The jotter, he told the court, contained operational plans, names of key government officials, and a list of officers allegedly marked for assassination.
“Inside the jotter, we also found information about political and structural changes that were to be made upon the execution of the coup,” the witness said.
Further forensic analysis of the recovered phone allegedly revealed communication links between the accused persons, serving military officers, and civilians, as well as coded messages used by the alleged plotters.
The witness also told the court that investigators traced financial transactions connecting some of the defendants and Sylva to the alleged plot.
He disclosed that a company identified as Purple Wave was used as a conduit for funding, with financial records obtained through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
According to him, multiple transactions running into hundreds of millions of naira were flagged between September and October 2025, allegedly used to finance the plot despite being labelled for other purposes.
The court heard that several meetings were held in Abuja locations, including Green Land Apartment and BrookVille Hotel, where the alleged conspirators discussed regime change and mapped out targets.
Among the alleged targets were military barracks and key infrastructure, with plans to seize highways and strategic locations during the operation.
“The plotters also shared appointments among themselves and discussed agencies to be created or merged after the coup,” the witness added.
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He further claimed that some of the defendants participated in consultations and “divination,” while vehicles were procured and modified for operational use.
During proceedings, the prosecution tendered documentary evidence, including financial records, phone extracts, and audiovisual recordings of statements made by the defendants.
Although defence counsel objected to some exhibits on admissibility grounds, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted them, ordering that relevant materials be made available to the defence before further use in court.
Earlier, the court granted the Federal Government’s request to shield the identities of certain witnesses, citing security concerns due to the sensitive nature of the case.
The defence, however, argued that full anonymity could undermine fair hearing, urging the court to balance witness protection with the rights of the accused.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held that the law permits such protective measures in cases involving national security and terrorism, directing that witnesses’ identities remain undisclosed in public records.
The defendants are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering.
The Federal Government alleged that the accused conspired in September 2025 to wage war against the state and destabilise the government, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code and Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
They pleaded not guilty upon arraignment on April 22 and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services.
The case has been adjourned to May 4 and 5 for continuation of trial.