…the witness, identified only as “AAA,” told the court that the investigation began after the then Chief of Army Staff, received intelligence about a plot .
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| The Nigerian Army has confirmed before the Federal High Court in Abuja that it uncovered a plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through a coup d’état.
A member of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, whose identity was concealed by court order, testified against six alleged masterminds of the conspiracy.
Those facing charges include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, and serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, among others.
The prosecution also named former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva in the charges, stating that he is currently at large after allegedly fleeing the country.
The Army witness, identified only as “AAA,” told the court that the investigation began after the then Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, received intelligence about a plot reportedly led by one Colonel M. A. Ma’aji.
Following the colonel’s arrest, investigators recovered a Samsung Galaxy phone and a jotter said to contain “operational plans, names and designations of ranking members of the current regime, as well as officers that were to be assassinated in the course of the coup,” the witness testified.
A forensic analysis of the phone allegedly revealed financial links between Ma’aji, Timipre Sylva, and several of the defendants.
The witness also identified a company known as “Purple Wave” as a conduit for financing the plot, with bank records reportedly showing suspicious transactions amounting to hundreds of millions of naira between September and October 2025.
According to the testimony, the alleged plotters held clandestine meetings at various hotels in Abuja, where they “discussed negative things about the government and concluded that there was the need for a regime change.”
The witness further alleged that the group planned to attack senior military housing at the Niger Barracks and seize control of major highways.
“The plotters also did extensive consultation and divination, in which some of the defendants took part, knowing that a coup was ongoing,” the witness added.
Presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, admitted several documents and digital extracts as evidence, despite objections from the defence team regarding the front-loading of certain exhibits. Earlier in the proceedings, the court granted an application to shield the identities of military witnesses to protect them from potential attacks.
The defendants are facing charges bordering on treason, terrorism, and money laundering. The Federal Government alleges that they conspired in September 2025 to levy war against the state in a bid to overawe the President.
The trial has been adjourned until May 4 and 5 for further hearing.
