An officer of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja how investigators uncovered an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, linking several suspects and a former governor to the conspiracy.
The witness, a member of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, 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 (retd.), Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (retd.), Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani had earlier pleaded not guilty after being arraigned on April 22.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the prosecution presented four witnesses, including three bank officials who tendered documents relating to financial transactions under investigation.
The fourth witness, the army officer, testified under protective measures granted by the court, with his identity shielded from public disclosure on security grounds.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness said intelligence reports received by the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, now Chief of Defence Staff, indicated that a serving officer, Col Mohammed Maaji, was allegedly coordinating a plot involving both military personnel and civilians, including former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva.
He said the intelligence was analysed and deemed credible, prompting a formal investigation.
“Following the report, the matter was processed and found credible, leading to the directive to commence investigation,” he told the court.
The witness added that Maaji was later arrested, with investigators recovering electronic devices and documents, including a mobile phone and a jotter said to contain operational details.
According to him, the materials contained names and what he described as plans for a “regime change,” including alleged targets.
He further told the court that forensic analysis of the phone revealed communications linking the officer to some of the defendants and other individuals.
The witness also said investigators uncovered what he described as post-coup arrangements, including proposed structural changes to government institutions.
During cross-examination, defence counsel, Muhammed Ndayako (SAN), challenged the witness’s assertions, urging the court to caution against treating the allegations as established facts.
However, Justice Abdulmalik directed that such objections be addressed during cross-examination or final arguments.
The witness also testified that financial investigations uncovered transactions allegedly linking Maaji, some defendants and Sylva.
He identified a firm, Purple Waves Limited, as a possible channel for funds connected to the alleged plot.
According to him, analysis of bank records, carried out with the assistance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, revealed transactions amounting to hundreds of millions of naira within a short period in 2025.
He said investigators also visited locations in Abuja, including Green Land Apartment and Brookville Hotel, where meetings linked to the alleged plot were said to have taken place.
Documents, including hotel records and receipts, were tendered in evidence, while the witness alleged that discussions at the venues centred on plans for regime change.
He added that some suspects made voluntary statements before a military panel and the military police, with the proceedings recorded on video.
However, defence lawyers opposed the admission of the video evidence, arguing that it was not previously disclosed, prompting the court to order compliance with procedural requirements.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case until May 4 for continuation of trial.
