Abuja: Zekari Umoru, one of the defendants in the ongoing trial of six individuals allegedly involved in a coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government, revealed on Tuesday that he was misled by his co-suspects. Umoru, who is employed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc in the Maintenance Department of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, made this statement in video evidence presented before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Umoru is the fourth defendant in the case involving treason charges. In his extra-judicial statement recorded on video, Umoru detailed how he came into contact with key figures in the case, starting in May 2025, through the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who is also associated with the Presidential Clinic. Umoru recounted how Ibrahim introduced him to a man named Hassan Mohammed, whom he later identified as ‘Col. Mohammed Ma’aji,’ under the guise of offering electrical work at a construction site.
Umoru initially believed Ma’aji to be a civilian businessman, as he received multiple money transfers bearing Ma’aji’s name. He described occasions where he received money from Ma’aji, sometimes in Ibrahim’s presence. Umoru also mentioned visits by Ma’aji and an associate named Usman, who he later identified as military personnel. During a meeting at a place called ‘Tiger Bar,’ Ma’aji provided money ranging from ?100,000 to ?120,000 to Umoru and his associates after buying drinks and inquiring about their professions.
A significant transaction, as per the video evidence, took place on September 24, 2025, when Ma’aji allegedly handed Umoru a ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bag filled with cash. Umoru stated that he deposited the money at a Zenith Bank branch, where it was counted as ?8.8 million. He further disclosed that the following day, he and Ibrahim met Ma’aji again, during which an additional ?2 million was given with instructions for Ibrahim to brief him later.
Umoru expressed his discomfort with the continuous inflow of money and sought explanations from Ibrahim. According to Umoru, Ibrahim claimed that Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the country’s state and intended to ‘sanitise the government’ with the alleged backing of unnamed associates referred to as ‘boys.’ Ibrahim also suggested a plan involving an ambulance driver to facilitate entry into the Presidential Villa, promising financial benefits.
Despite these interactions, Umoru maintained in the video that he was unaware of any concrete plan to overthrow the government and insisted his involvement was unintentional. He also recounted an incident where he accompanied Usman into the Presidential Villa, noting that security personnel did not question them after he informed them that Usman was there to see him. Umoru stated he later found Usman taking photographs in his office and warned him against such actions. He denied knowledge of any coup plot throughout the recording, asserting that he was misled by Ibrahim. Umoru expressed regret, apologised to his employers, and affirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration.
Another video involving Islamic cleric Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni was played in court, where Goni denied any involvement in the coup plot. He stated that he relocated to Karu in Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri, Borno, and received funds from Col. Maaji solely for prayers and charitable purposes. Goni claimed the funds were linked to religious activities and not political or military objectives. However, investigators highlighted discrepancies between his claims and financial records, revealing transactions amounting to millions of naira, including a ?10 million transfer in October 2024. They noted discussions in the videos about gaining access and acquiring ‘work tools,’ raising concerns of a broader scheme.
Counsel to the fifth defendant, Goni, Michael Numa, SAN, informed the court that he recently received the video exhibit of his client and required more time to review it. Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the trial to May 11, 12, and 13 for continuation. The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, arraigned the defendants on a 13-count charge filed on April 20 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. The charge involves retired Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, Cap. (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Insp Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani as defendants, with the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, listed as at large. The defendants face charges of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing. (NAN)