Abuja, Nigeria
A Federal High Court in Abuja has accelerated the trial of six men accused of plotting to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu. On Wednesday, the prosecution opened its case by calling four witnesses, including a military officer who gave detailed testimony on how the alleged coup plot was uncovered, investigated, and linked to the defendants.
The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), began presenting its case with testimonies from security and financial officials.
One of the key witnesses, identified only as “AAA” for security reasons, is a soldier from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP). He told the court that the investigation started after the former Chief of Army Staff, General O. O. Oluyede, received intelligence reports about a planned coup allegedly involving Colonel M. A. Ma’aji and others.
According to the witness, the intelligence was thoroughly analysed and confirmed credible before the army leadership ordered a full investigation.
He explained that Colonel Ma’aji was arrested, and investigators recovered his Samsung Galaxy phone and a jotter from his residence. The jotter, he said, contained sensitive materials including operational plans, names of key government officials, and individuals allegedly marked for assassination during the planned coup.
“We found plans detailing political and structural changes to be implemented after the coup,” the witness told the court.
Further forensic analysis of the recovered phone reportedly revealed detailed communication and links between Colonel Ma’aji, some military officers, and the six defendants currently on trial.
The witness also alleged that financial transactions linked the accused persons and others to the plot. He told the court that investigators traced money flows involving Colonel Ma’aji, some of the defendants, and former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva.
According to him, large sums of money were transferred in what investigators believe were efforts to fund the alleged coup.
He added that a company named Purple Wave was identified as one of the channels used to move funds connected to the plot. Financial records obtained from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were presented in court, showing multiple transactions between September and October 2025, amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.
Despite transaction descriptions suggesting legitimate purposes, the witness insisted that investigations revealed the funds were allegedly used to support the coup plan.
The court also heard that several meetings were held in Abuja at locations including Green Land Apartment and BrookVille Hotel. According to the witness, discussions during these meetings focused on dissatisfaction with the current government and the need for regime change.
“They discussed negative things about the government and concluded there was a need for change,” he said.
He further told the court that the alleged plotters identified strategic targets, including military barracks and key roads, and mapped out how to take control during the execution of the coup.
The witness claimed that roles were assigned among the plotters, including future appointments and restructuring of government agencies if the plan succeeded.
He also alleged that some of the defendants participated in consultations and received funds for activities linked to the plot, including the purchase and modification of vehicles for operational purposes.
Receipts from hotel bookings and other documents linked to the meetings were presented in court, although defence lawyers objected to their admissibility. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the documents but allowed the defence to challenge them later during final arguments.
Additionally, extracts from the phone recovered from Colonel Ma’aji were admitted as evidence.
The court also heard that most of the defendants made voluntary written statements during the investigation, some of which were recorded on video. However, the sixth defendant, Abdulkadir Sani, reportedly only gave his statement to the military police after his arrest.
When the prosecution attempted to submit a flash drive containing video recordings of the statements, the defence objected, arguing that the material had not been shared in advance. The court ruled that the recordings must first be served to the defence before they can be played.
Earlier in the proceedings, compliance officers from Jaiz Bank and SunTrust Bank, along with a legal officer from Providus Bank, testified and submitted account statements linked to the defendants and associated companies. These witnesses were cross-examined by defence lawyers.
This case is one of the most high-profile alleged coup plots in recent years, involving both military personnel and civilians. The Nigerian government has maintained a strong stance against any threat to constitutional order, with security agencies actively investigating and prosecuting such cases.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 4 and 5, when the fourth prosecution witness is expected to continue testifying as the court proceeds with the accelerated trial.