Alleged 2025 Coup Plot: Presidential Villa Staff Member Details Role in Court Testimony

A staff member of the Presidential Villa, Zekeri Umoru, has told a court how he became entangled in an alleged plan to violently remove President Bola Tinubu’s government, insisting he never knowingly took part in any coup-related activity.

Umoru, who works in the Villa’s maintenance department under Julius Berger Nigeria, said in a recorded statement played in court that his involvement began in 2025 after he was introduced to key figures through an Inspector attached to the Presidential Clinic, Ahmed Ibrahim.

He said Ibrahim linked him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, later introduced as Colonel Mohammed “Ma’aji,” under the guise of securing electrical work.

According to him, what appeared to be routine business dealings gradually involved repeated payments. He told investigators he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian contractor and not a serving military officer.

Umoru described receiving funds on multiple occasions, including meetings where cash was openly shared. At one of such meetings at a location referred to as Tiger Bar, he said Ma’aji handed out money after social interaction, giving between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 to him and others.

He also recounted a larger transaction on 24 September 2025, when he received a bag of cash. “Ghana Must Go,” he said, was used to describe the bag. The money, he stated, was later deposited at Zenith Bank and counted as ₦8.8 million. A further ₦2 million was allegedly delivered the next day.

Umoru said his suspicion grew after continued payments, prompting him to question Inspector Ibrahim. He claimed Ibrahim told him that Ma’aji was dissatisfied with governance and intended to “sanitize the government,” allegedly with the backing of unnamed associates referred to as “boys.”

He also told investigators that there was mention of using an ambulance driver as part of a plan to gain access into the Presidential Villa, though he maintained he did not understand any operational details.

Despite the allegations, Umoru insisted he was misled and not aware of any coordinated plot. “I never knowingly participated in any plot,” he said in his statement.

He further described an incident in which he escorted one of the accused, Usman, into the Villa, saying security allowed entry because he presented him as a visitor. He later warned Usman after discovering he was taking photographs in his office.

Umoru expressed regret over his involvement, apologising to his employers and stating his support for the current administration.

In a separate video presented to the court, Islamic cleric Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni also denied involvement. He said funds he received from Colonel Ma’aji were “strictly for prayers and charitable purposes,” including requests for “spiritual intervention” over alleged promotion setbacks.

However, investigators pointed to financial records showing earlier transfers dating back to 2023, as well as multiple payments running into millions of naira, including a ₦10 million transfer in October 2024, which they said did not align with his explanation.

The court was also shown records suggesting discussions around “access” and “work tools,” which investigators said raised concerns about a wider arrangement, though both men denied any political or military intent.

During proceedings, counsel to one of the defendants asked for additional time to review newly submitted video evidence.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to May 11, 12, and 13 for continuation of trial.