An operative of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on Wednesday testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja, detailing how investigators allegedly uncovered a conspiracy to topple President Bola Tinubu, alongside financial and operational links tying the accused to the plot.
The witness, who identified himself as a member of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, appeared in the ongoing trial of a retired major-general and five others charged with a 13-count indictment bordering on treason, terrorism, non-disclosure of information, and money laundering.
Those standing trial are Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric. They were arraigned on April 22 and all entered not guilty pleas.
At Wednesday’s hearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the prosecution presented four witnesses. Among them were three bank officials from Jaiz Bank, SunTrust Bank, and Providus Bank, who submitted correspondence with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, along with account-related documents admitted as evidence.
The fourth witness, the military officer, testified under protective measures granted by the court pursuant to Section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, with his identity concealed for security reasons.
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, explained that the anonymity was necessary to prevent “unnecessary attack” as proceedings continue.
Although defence counsel did not oppose the protective arrangement, they insisted on knowing the witness’s identity to ensure fairness.
However, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the witness’s name should be excluded from public records.
While giving evidence, the officer disclosed that intelligence received by the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, pointed to a serving officer, Col Mohammed Maaji, as the alleged coordinator of a plot involving both military personnel and civilians, including former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva.
He said the intelligence was thoroughly assessed and deemed credible, prompting a formal probe.
“Upon receipt of the intelligence report, it was analysed, processed and found to be credible, and the Chief of Army Staff directed our team to investigate the allegations,” he told the court.
The witness stated that Maaji was later apprehended, and items recovered from him included a Samsung Galaxy Z-series phone and a jotter said to contain operational plans.
According to the officer, the materials listed names, roles, and what investigators described as a framework for a change of government.
He added, “Inside the jotter, we found operational plans, names and designation of ranking members of the current regime as well as officers that were to be assassinated,” he said.
Further testimony revealed that forensic analysis of the mobile device uncovered communications allegedly linking Maaji with some of the defendants and other persons already facing trial.
The officer also told the court that investigators identified what he described as “post-coup arrangements,” including targets and proposed structural changes to state institutions.
During proceedings, defence counsel Muhammed Ndayako (SAN) objected to the witness making conclusive claims that the accused intended to overthrow the government, arguing that such assertions had not been proven.
The court, however, directed the defence to reserve such arguments for cross-examination or final submissions, allowing the trial to proceed uninterrupted.
The witness further testified that financial investigations uncovered monetary links between Col Maaji, some of the accused, and Sylva.
He identified a firm, Purple Waves Limited, as a possible channel for funds related to the alleged activities.
We found financial trails between Col Maaji, Mr Sylva and some of the defendants,” he said.
According to him, analysis conducted with the assistance of the EFCC showed multiple transactions amounting to hundreds of millions of naira between September and October 2025.
These included transfers of N100m, N80m, N70m, N50m, and N90m carried out on different dates within the period.
He noted that although the transfers bore varying descriptions, investigators linked them to funding activities under scrutiny.
The officer also told the court that investigators visited Green Land Apartment and Brookville Hotel in Abuja, locations where meetings allegedly tied to the plot were held.
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Documents such as hotel records, receipts, and reservation details were retrieved and admitted into evidence, despite objections from defence lawyers who opted to address the issue later.
He alleged that discussions at those venues centred on “regime change,” identification of assassination targets, and the allocation of roles among participants.
He also claimed that payment receipts for rooms used in the alleged meetings were recovered.
Additionally, the witness stated that some suspects made statements before a military investigative panel and the military police, noting that the statements were voluntary and captured on video.
However, when the prosecution attempted to submit the video recordings as evidence, defence counsel objected, arguing that the materials had not been previously disclosed and their admission at that stage would be prejudicial.
Justice Abdulmalik acknowledged that the prosecution had not frontloaded the materials and directed compliance with procedural rules before adjourning the case.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 4 for continuation of hearing.