A prosecution witness on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja how security agencies allegedly uncovered a plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, detailing the operational and financial links among the accused persons.
The witness, an officer of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police identified only by the codename “AAA” due to court-ordered protection, testified in the ongoing trial of a retired major-general and five others facing charges bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering.
The defendants — Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (retired major-general), Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (retired navy captain), Ahmed Ibrahim (police inspector), Zekeri Umoru (Presidential Villa electrician), Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, a cleric — had earlier pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge.
Presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, granted the prosecution’s request for the witness to testify behind a protective screen, with his identity shielded from the public for security reasons.
Intelligence and Arrests
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness said intelligence reports linked a serving colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, and others — including former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva — to the alleged conspiracy.
According to him, the intelligence, received by then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, was analysed and found credible, prompting a full-scale investigation.
He told the court that Mr Ma’aji was subsequently arrested, and items recovered from him included a Samsung Galaxy Z-series phone and a jotter allegedly containing operational plans.
“In the jotter, we found names and designations of key government officials and officers assigned specific roles, including planned attacks,” the witness said.
Financial Links and Evidence
The witness further testified that investigators uncovered financial trails allegedly linking the defendants to the plot, with transactions running into hundreds of millions of naira.
He said a company, Purple Waves Limited, was allegedly used as a conduit for funding, with multiple transfers — including sums of N100 million, N50 million, and N90 million — traced between September and October 2025.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he added, played a key role in analysing the financial transactions.
Meetings and Planning
AAA told the court that several meetings were held in Abuja locations, including Green Land Apartment and Brookville Hotel, where participants allegedly discussed regime change and shared roles.
Investigators, he said, visited the locations and recovered receipts and reservation records, which were admitted as evidence.
He further alleged that the suspects identified strategic targets, assigned responsibilities, and discussed post-takeover government structures.
Courtroom Proceedings
During proceedings, defence lawyers raised objections to parts of the testimony, urging the court to treat the claims as allegations. However, the judge ruled that such concerns could be addressed during cross-examination or in final written addresses.
The court also admitted documentary evidence, including forensic reports and bank records, while deferring arguments on their admissibility to the final stage of the trial.
However, the prosecution’s attempt to tender video recordings of defendants’ statements was stalled after it admitted the materials had not been previously filed. The court subsequently directed compliance with procedural requirements.
Adjournment
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 4 for continuation of trial.
