The Federal Government on Monday presented video evidence before the Federal High Court in Abuja in a bid to establish an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The video recordings, played during proceedings, captured some of the defendants standing trial admitting varying degrees of knowledge and involvement in the alleged coup attempt, while others denied any participation.
The defendants in the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, as well as Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Also mentioned in the charge is former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, who reportedly fled the country before the alleged plot was uncovered and is currently said to be at large.
The defendants are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering in furtherance of terrorist activities.
At the resumed hearing presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the prosecution played video clips in which the second and third defendants—Victor and Inspector Ibrahim—acknowledged awareness of the alleged plot, while the first defendant, Gana, denied any knowledge of such plans.
In his statement, Gana maintained that he retired from the Nigerian Army in 2010 as Chief of Defence Logistics and had since lived a quiet life. He admitted knowing the alleged mastermind, Colonel M. A. Ma’aji, but insisted he was unaware of any coup plans. He added that he would have reported the matter had he been informed.
Gana further explained that he was linked to the investigation after authorities traced a N2 million transfer to him. He also admitted forwarding, via WhatsApp, a copy of a speech delivered during a previous coup, along with other anti-government messages, which he claimed he neither authored nor edited.
However, he denied participating in reconnaissance activities at the Presidential Villa or engaging in any fundraising efforts tied to the alleged plot.
Retired Naval Captain Victor, in his own statement, admitted knowing Ma’aji and being aware of discussions about overthrowing the government. He said he advised against such actions and urged the officer to consider retirement instead.
Victor disclosed that he was approached to support the plot financially and assist in logistics, including securing accommodation, with promises of political appointment if the plan succeeded. He said he declined all requests but admitted maintaining communication with the alleged mastermind using coded language.
Expressing regret, Victor pleaded for clemency, attributing his failure to report the plot to personal ties with Ma’aji and describing his situation as “being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Inspector Ibrahim, who is attached to the State House, told investigators he was initially contacted to assist with facilitating Ma’aji’s promotion but said discussions later shifted to plans to overthrow the government.
He admitted receiving between N1.4 million and N1.5 million and participating in reconnaissance around the Presidential Villa, including photographing key areas such as Aguda House and identifying possible access routes.
According to him, coded terms like “fertiliser” and “farming” were used to refer to funding and operational plans. He, however, claimed his actions were driven by poor judgment and insisted he did not believe the plot could succeed.
Defence counsel challenged the admissibility of the video evidence, arguing that the statements were not made voluntarily. The court, however, dismissed the objection and ruled that a trial-within-trial would be conducted to determine the voluntariness of the confessions.
The Federal Government alleged that the defendants conspired in September 2025 to levy war against the state in a bid to overawe the President—an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
They were also accused of failing to disclose intelligence about the planned coup and neglecting to take reasonable steps to prevent its execution.
Additional charges include conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty upon their arraignment on April 22 and were subsequently remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The case was adjourned until Tuesday for further hearing.
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