How ‘We uncovered plot to overthrow Tinubu,’ Army tells court

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that it uncovered a coordinated plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, outlining intelligence, financial links, and operational plans allegedly tied to the defendants.

Testifying as the fourth prosecution witness, an operative of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, identified only as “AAA,” said the investigation began after intelligence was received by the Chief of Army Staff.

“We received credible intelligence that certain officers and civilians were planning to overthrow the democratically elected government,” the witness said. “The information was analysed, processed, and found to be credible.”

The witness, who said he was part of the investigative team, linked six defendants—including retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana and others—to the alleged plot, adding that they were apprehended following their connection to one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji.

According to him, items recovered from Ma’aji included a mobile phone and a handwritten notebook containing what he described as “operational plans, names and designations of key officials, and officers marked for assassination.”

“Inside the jotter, we also found information about political and structural changes that were to be made upon the execution of the coup,” he told the court.

The Army further alleged that forensic analysis of the phone revealed communications and financial transactions connecting the defendants and former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva, who prosecutors said is currently at large.

“We identified financial trails between Ma’aji, former Governor Timipre Sylva and some of the defendants,” the witness said. “Monies were paid to some of the defendants in pursuit of the coup plot.”

Investigators also traced funding to a company identified as Purple Wave, with multiple transactions flagged between September and October 2025.

“These transactions, though they carried descriptions, were found not to have been used for those purposes but were instead channelled toward the coup plot,” the witness stated.

The court heard that meetings were held at locations in Abuja, where the alleged plotters discussed removing the government and mapped out targets and roles.

“They discussed negative things about the government and concluded that there was the need for a regime change,” the witness said. “They also shared appointments among themselves and identified key targets.”

He added that plans included attacks on military facilities and the takeover of major routes, as well as procurement of vehicles “being retrofitted for kinetic purposes.”

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted several exhibits, including financial records and digital evidence, despite objections from defence counsel, and upheld an earlier order allowing key witnesses to testify under anonymity due to security concerns.

The defendants, who have pleaded not guilty, are facing a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, and related offences. The trial is set to continue on May 4 and 5.