The Federal High Court in Abuja heard further video testimonies on Tuesday from two of the six men charged with treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information and money‑laundering in connection with an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Zekeri Umoru, a maintenance worker at the Presidential Villa employed by Julius Berger Nigeria, told the court that he was “misled” into believing he was dealing with a civilian businessman. In a video recording played in court, Umoru said police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim introduced him to Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, a serving army officer whom prosecutors allege masterminded the September 2022 coup attempt. Umoru claimed the meetings were about electrical work and that he received cash payments – “running into millions of naira” – from Ma’aji and Ibrahim. He recounted receiving N100,000‑N120,000 at a bar, a bag of cash amounting to N8.8 million on 24 September 2025, and a further N2 million the next day, which he deposited at a Zenith Bank branch.
When Umoru asked Ibrahim why the payments were so large, Ibrahim allegedly said Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the state of the country and intended to “sanitise the government” with support from others. Umoru said he heard discussions about using an ambulance driver to gain access to the Presidential Villa and about financial rewards for participants. He denied any knowledge of a coup, stating, “I was misled,” and said he would have withdrawn if he had known the true purpose of the meetings. He also admitted escorting an associate into the Villa but warned the man after noticing he was taking photographs, and he expressed regret and apologised to his employers.
The second video featured Bukar Kashim Goni, an Islamic cleric, who also denied involvement in the plot. Goni asserted that money received from Ma’aji was for prayers and charitable activities. Prosecutors, however, presented financial records showing transfers of several million naira, including N10 million in October 2024, contradicting his claim. The recordings also referenced discussions about obtaining “work tools” and access to the Villa, which the prosecution said suggested a broader scheme.
The court has already heard testimonies from three other defendants – retired army general Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired navy captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor and police inspector Ibrahim – who admitted knowledge of the alleged plot but denied reporting it, while Gana denied any involvement. All six defendants pleaded not guilty to the 13 charges.
Proceedings were briefly paused after defence counsel reported the death of a colleague in a road accident; Judge Joyce Abdulmalik observed a minute’s silence before resuming. The trial is set to continue on 11, 12 and 13 May.
The case follows the federal government’s April 22 arraignment of the six accused, who face up to death under Nigeria’s treason law. Investigators have linked the alleged conspiracy to plans for storming the Presidential Villa, detaining senior officials and assassinating President Tinubu, Vice‑President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Evidence presented includes receipts for more than 30 vehicles allegedly procured for the operation. While Colonel Ma’aji is named in the charges, several other serving officers believed to be involved have not been formally charged. The trial’s outcome will be closely watched as Nigeria confronts one of its most serious alleged threats to democratic governance.
