The cleric told the court what he said to the alleged coup plotter

An Islamic cleric on Monday told the Federal High Court, Abuja how he knew the alleged coup plotter accused of plotting to overthrow the Bola Tinubu government.

The narrative was made public in court via videotape in which the cleric on trial for the coup plot told investigators that he warned the alleged conspirators that their plan would fail and that they would ultimately be betrayed.

Judge Joyce Abdulmalik also ordered a joint trial to be held to determine the voluntariness of the statements and video recordings that prosecutors want to present against the six defendants.

The decision followed objections from defense attorneys, who argued that the statements were obtained in violation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Anti-Torture Act.

The Federal Government had on April 22 indicted six defendants, including a retired major general, on charges of treason, terrorism, money laundering and conspiracy to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.

The defendants are Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (retired); Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (ret.); police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; Presidential Villa electrician Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Kashim Goni; and a Zaria-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani.

They all pleaded not guilty to the 13 charges.

At Monday’s hearing, the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the fourth prosecution witness remained in the witness box and requested the playing of a videotape containing the alleged statement of the sixth accused, Sani.

In a video played in open court, Sani said he had known the alleged ringleader, Colonel Maaji, for less than a year and was introduced to him through a man identified as Sanda.

The cleric said Sanda approached him to pray about the coup plot and told him that his “oga” needed spiritual guidance and divination for the operation to be successful.

According to Sani, after performing prayers, he was informed that the operation would fail.

“I warned them that the coup would fail,” he said in the recording.

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He added that he also told them that two people involved in the alleged conspiracy would eventually betray the group.

Sani further stated that Sanda then returned with another prayer request “so that the two individuals do not betray the group.”

The cleric said that the money was then transferred to him for prayer and charity, while the names of people allegedly involved in the plot were also sent to him for inclusion in the prayer.

According to him, not long after the prayers started, Sanda reported that Colonel Maaji had not been seen for four days.

He added that he later learned through media reports that arrests had been made over suspected coup plotting.

However, Sani emphasized in the video that the money transferred to him was not a payment to support the coup.

“The money was for prayers,” he told investigators.

He also admitted that he understood that a coup meant the overthrow of the government by the military, but admitted that he did not report the alleged plot because he did not know who to report it to.

The cleric said that he was later arrested after visiting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over restrictions placed on his bank accounts.

According to him, he found out that the account had been flagged when he tried to withdraw the money sent to him.

He said that after contacting the deputy director of the EFCC, he was invited to the commission’s office, where he explained that the funds were meant for prayers.

Sani also stated in the recording that he did not make any statements regarding the coup while in EFCC custody.

Before the video ended, the cleric emphasized that no one attacked or tortured him and that his “statements were made voluntarily.”

Following the screening, Oyedepo submitted an application for extra-judicial statements allegedly made by the first to fifth defendants before the Special Investigation Panel and military police authorities, along with Sani’s statements before military investigators.

This action was strongly opposed by lawyers representing the six defendants.

Muhammad Ndayako (SAN) appeared as the first defendant, while Paul Erokoro (SAN), AH Shehu, CD Okafor, MA Ibrahim, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), and Sanusi Musa (SAN) represented the other defendants.

Defense attorneys argued that the statements and accompanying video recordings were not made voluntarily and failed to comply with the protections afforded under the ACJA.

After hearing the arguments, Judge Abdulmalik ruled that the court would conduct “a joint hearing within the trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements.”

The judge then adjourned the case until May 12 to continue the trial.