“I Was Offered Money To Recruit Soldiers, DSS Officials Inside Aso Rock” — Suspected Coup Plotter

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday heard allegations that discussions were held on cutting electricity supply to the Presidential Villa as part of an alleged coup plot.

Zekeri Umoru, a Julius Berger Nigeria Plc employee working in the Maintenance Department at the Presidential Villa, made the claims in a video recording played before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik during proceedings in the ongoing trial.

In the video evidence presented in court, Umoru said he cautioned against any attempt to disrupt power supply to the Villa.

“If electricity is switched off in the Villa, investigations will start immediately and workers on duty will be detained,” he told investigators.

Umoru alleged that Col. Mohammed Ma’aji, identified as the alleged mastermind of the plot, offered him money through Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim to recruit between 18 and 19 persons working inside the Presidential Villa.

According to him, those targeted for recruitment included soldiers, officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Julius Berger staff.

He further claimed that Ma’aji was determined to gain access to the Presidential Villa, even if force became necessary.

“He said he wanted access into the Villa and could achieve it with force if those inside refused to cooperate,” Umoru stated.

The defendant also alleged that Inspector Ibrahim later demanded N100 million from Ma’aji to facilitate access into the Villa through an ambulance route.

He said Ma’aji rejected the demand, describing the amount as excessive, while insisting he could still force his way into the complex.

 “He said there would be bloodshed, but he could still gain access,” Umoru told investigators.

Umoru said he later became uncomfortable with the alleged plan and repeatedly attempted to return the money given to him.

 “Accessing the Presidential Villa is not a child’s play,” he said in the recorded statement.

He denied allegations that he had access to the Villa’s solar power infrastructure or that he intended to sabotage electricity supply within the complex.

Explaining why he did not immediately report the matter to security authorities, Umoru said Inspector Ibrahim advised him to delete messages and avoid contacting Ma’aji because of an ongoing office audit.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until May 21 for continuation of the trial-within-trial to determine whether statements made by the six defendants were obtained voluntarily.

The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, arraigned the defendants on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, was filed on April 20 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.

Those charged are retired Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Capt. Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukr 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.