TWO of the six defendants standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday admitted in court that they were aware of the alleged coup plan but failed to report it.
News Point Nigeria reports that the admissions were contained in video recordings played before the Federal High Court in Abuja during proceedings in the ongoing trial.
The recordings, stored in a hard drive tendered by the prosecution, captured separate interview sessions with three defendants Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired Navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; and Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general.
In the footage played in open court, Mr Victor and Mr Ibrahim admitted they knew about the alleged plot, although both insisted they did not actively participate in executing it. Gana, however, denied any knowledge of the alleged coup plan.
The remaining defendants Zakari Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani were not featured in the video playback presented before the court.
During Monday’s proceedings, the court granted permission to the prosecution to play the recorded interview sessions as part of its evidence.
In his interview, Victor, the retired Navy captain, said he knew the alleged mastermind, identified as M. A. Ma’aji, a serving colonel, and confirmed he was aware of discussions surrounding plans to overthrow the government.
According to him, the officer frequently complained about stalled promotion and expressed frustration with the system. Victor said he advised him against pursuing such a course of action.
He further admitted that he was approached to provide financial support, assist in raising funds, and help secure accommodation for the alleged plotters, with assurances that he would be appointed to a position if the operation succeeded.
Victor, however, maintained that he declined involvement in the alleged operation, although he continued communicating with the principal suspect through a secure messaging platform where coded language was reportedly used.
He also admitted that he failed to report the alleged plot because of his relationship with the principal suspect and expressed regret over his decision.
Similarly, Ibrahim, a police inspector attached to the State House, told investigators that he was initially approached to assist in facilitating the officer’s promotion before discussions allegedly shifted toward plans to overthrow the government.
He admitted receiving between N1.4 million and N1.5 million and participating in reconnaissance activities around the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House.
Ibrahim said he took photographs of certain parts of the villa and discussed possible access routes with the suspect. He also confirmed that coded expressions such as “fertiliser” and “farming” were allegedly used to refer to funding and the planned operation.
According to him, his actions resulted from poor judgment arising from his relationship with the suspect. He added that he never believed the alleged plan could succeed.
However, Gana denied any involvement in the alleged conspiracy.
The retired major-general told investigators that he retired from the Nigerian Army in 2010 and had since lived a quiet life.
He admitted knowing Mr Ma’aji and acknowledged that the serving officer had concerns about his promotion but insisted he had no knowledge of any coup plot and would have reported it if he did.
Gana also disclosed that investigators linked him to a N2 million transfer. While admitting that he forwarded a coup speech and some anti-government messages on WhatsApp, he insisted he neither authored the messages nor participated in any plot.
He further denied taking part in reconnaissance activities or efforts to raise funds for the alleged operation.
Following the proceedings, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned further hearing in the matter until Tuesday, May 5.