The witness told the court about the alleged coup plot, connecting the accused, Sylva with financial channels

A Nigerian Army officer on Wednesday testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja, detailing how investigators uncovered an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as financial and operational links linking the defendants to the plot.

The witness, a member of the Army Military Police Corps, was present at the ongoing trial of six defendants who face 13 charges that include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering.

Those on trial include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; Presidential Villa electrician Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani. The defendants were arraigned April 22 and all pleaded not guilty.

During the trial before Judge Joyce Abdulmalik, prosecutors presented four witnesses, including three bank officials from Jaiz Bank, SunTrust Bank, and Providus Bank, who submitted correspondence to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission along with account records received as evidence.

The fourth witness, an Army officer, testified under protective measures provided under Article 232 of the Criminal Justice Administration Act, with his identity protected for security reasons. Public prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo told the court that protection was necessary to prevent “unnecessary attacks” on witnesses, while defense lawyers insisted that his identity be revealed to them to ensure a fair trial. The court grants complete anonymity in public records.

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In his testimony, the officer said that an intelligence report initially received by the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, who is now the Chief of Defense Staff, named a serving officer, Colonel Mohammed Maaji, as the alleged coordinator of the plot involving military personnel and civilians, including former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva.

“After receiving the intelligence report, it was analyzed, processed and found to be credible, and the Chief of Army Staff directed our team to investigate the allegations,” he told the court.

He said Maaji was later arrested, and investigators found electronic devices, including a Samsung Galaxy Z-series phone, and a note said to contain operational details.

According to witnesses, the material revealed names and structures linked to what investigators described as a regime change plan.

“In those notes, we found operational plans, names and designations of members of the current regime as well as officers who would be killed,” he said.

The officer added that forensic analysis of the phones revealed communications allegedly linking Maaji to several defendants and others already on trial, as well as documents outlining what he described as “post-coup arrangements.”

During the trial, defense lawyer Muhammad Ndayako (SAN) objected to what he called a premature conclusion, and urged the court to restrain witnesses from stating that a coup plot had been planned. However, Abdulmalik directed that these objections be addressed during cross-examination or final arguments.

The witness further testified that financial investigations revealed alleged monetary links between Col. Maaji, some of the defendants, and Sylva, naming Purple Waves Limited as a possible conduit.

“We found financial traces between Colonel Maaji, Mr Sylva and some of the accused,” he said.

He stated that analysis of bank records, carried out with the assistance of the EFCC, showed several transactions worth hundreds of millions of naira between September and October 2025, including transfers of N100m, N80m, N70m, N50m and N90m.

According to him, even though the transaction details were different, investigators linked them to the activity being investigated.

The officer also told the court that investigators visited the Green Land Apartments and Brookville Hotel in Abuja, where meetings related to the alleged plot were said to have taken place. Documents including hotel records, receipts and booking details were accepted into evidence despite objections from the defence.

He alleged that discussions at the location centered on “regime change,” identification of assassination targets, and allocation of roles among participants, and added that receipts confirmed payment for the room used for the meeting.

The court also heard that some of the suspects made statements before military and military police investigative panels, which were videotaped and given voluntarily.

However, when prosecutors attempted to introduce the video evidence, defense attorneys objected on the grounds that the material had never been disclosed before. Judge Abdulmalik acknowledged the procedural error and directed the prosecution to comply with the requirements before proceeding.

The trial was then postponed until May 4 for the continuation of the trial.