ZEKARI Umoru, one of the six defendants standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he was deceived by some of his co-defendants into activities now linked to the alleged coup plot.
News Point Nigeria reports that Umoru, an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc attached to the Maintenance Department of the Presidential Villa, made the claims in a video recording of his extra-judicial statement played before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
News Point Nigeria reports that Umoru is the fourth defendant in the alleged treasonable felony case instituted by the Federal Government.
In the video evidence presented in open court, Umoru narrated how his association with individuals later identified as central figures in the case allegedly began in May 2025 through the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who was also attached to the Presidential Clinic.
According to him, Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, whom he later came to know as “Col. Mohammed Ma’aji,” under the guise of offering him electrical work at a building project under construction.
Umoru said he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian businessman, particularly after receiving money transfers bearing his name.
He recounted several occasions where he allegedly received money from Ma’aji, sometimes in the presence of Inspector Ibrahim.
The fourth defendant also spoke about visits by Ma’aji and another associate identified as Usman, whom he later discovered was a military officer.
He told investigators that during one of the meetings held at a location identified as “Tiger Bar,” Ma’aji bought drinks and made inquiries about their professions before giving him and his associates amounts ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦120,000.
According to the video evidence, a more substantial transaction allegedly occurred on September 24, 2025, when Ma’aji handed Umoru a “Ghana-Must-Go” bag filled with cash.
The Julius Berger employee said he subsequently deposited the money at a branch of Zenith Bank, where the cash was counted and confirmed to be ₦8.8 million.
He further stated that the following day, he and Inspector Ibrahim met Ma’aji again, during which an additional ₦2 million was allegedly handed over, with Ibrahim expected to brief him later on further details.
Umoru, however, maintained that he became uneasy over the steady flow of money and eventually demanded clarification from Ibrahim.
According to him, Ibrahim claimed that Ma’aji was unhappy with the state of the country and intended to “sanitise the government” with the backing of unnamed associates he referred to as “boys.”
He further alleged that Ibrahim discussed a plan involving an ambulance driver to gain access into the Presidential Villa, with promises of financial rewards.
Despite the revelations, Umoru insisted throughout the video session that he was unaware of any concrete plan to overthrow the government and maintained that his involvement was unintentional.
He also recounted an occasion when he accompanied Usman into the Presidential Villa, stating that security operatives at the gate did not question the visitor after he informed them that the man was there to see him.
Umoru said he later caught Usman taking photographs inside his office and immediately warned him against such actions.
Throughout the recording, he denied having prior knowledge of any coup plot, insisting that he was misled by Inspector Ibrahim.
He further stated that he would have distanced himself from Ma’aji if he had known he was a military officer or if he suspected that the dealings went beyond business arrangements.
The defendant also expressed regret over the situation, apologising to his employers and reaffirming his support for President Tinubu’s administration.
Meanwhile, another video recording involving an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, was also played in open court.
In the video, Goni explained that he relocated to Karu in Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The cleric denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot, telling investigators that all funds he received from Col. Ma’aji were strictly for prayers and charitable purposes.
According to him, the money was connected to requests for spiritual intervention following Ma’aji’s alleged frustration over stalled promotions.
He insisted that all cash received was tied solely to religious activities and had no political or military undertones.
However, investigators pointed to inconsistencies between his claims and financial records, noting that transfers had allegedly been made to him as far back as March 2023 several months before the alleged promotion issues he referenced.
The investigators also cited additional financial records showing transactions running into millions of naira, including a ₦10 million transfer allegedly made in October 2024.
According to the prosecution, conversations captured in the videos, including references to gaining access and obtaining “work tools,” raised concerns about a broader conspiracy.
During proceedings, counsel to the fifth defendant, Michael Numa, SAN, informed the court that he had only just received the video exhibit involving his client and would require more time to review the material.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case until May 11, May 12, and May 13 for continuation of trial.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, had earlier arraigned the defendants on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, money laundering linked to terrorism financing, and failure to disclose security intelligence.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, was filed on April 20 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
Those standing trial include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekari Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who was also mentioned in connection with the allegations, is listed as being at large.