FG Opens Case against Alleged Coup Plotters, Calls Four Witnesses

• Says former Bayelsa gov has financial transactions with defendants

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The federal government on Wednesday formally opened its case against six defendants arraigned before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, for allegedly plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the federal government called four witnesses, among whom was a soldier from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP).

Giving evidence on how the alleged coup plot was uncovered and what investigators later found out, the witness, whose identity was shielded, but identified as “AAA,” claimed to be a member of the team that investigated the case after the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General O. O. Oluyede received an intelligence report that Colonel M. A. Ma’aji and some others were plotting to overthrow the Tinubu-led federal government.

Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness disclosed that the defendants were arrested in connection with the coup plot and involved Col. Ma’aji, and some other servicing military officers as well as some civilians.

He said, upon receiving the intelligence report by the then COAS, it was analysed, processed and found credible, following which his team was given the go-ahead to investigate the allegations in the report.

According to him, the team then moved to arrest Col. Ma’aji, and in the process recovered some items including a Samsung Galaxy phone, a jotter and some other items, during a search of his residence.

The witness added the jotter contained among others, 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.

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

AAA stated further that when the phone recovered from Col. Ma’aji was sent for forensic analysis, the result disclosed elaborate plans and links between Col Ma’aji, some of the officers involved in the plot and the defendants.

“We also found financial trails between Ma’aji, former Governor Timipre Sylva and some of the defendants here before the court.

“Also, inside the phone, we found code words known among the plotters, including some of the defendants before this court.

“We also observed financial trails between some of the defendants and Col. M. A. Ma’aji. Monies were paid to some of the defendants in pursuit of the coup plot”, the witness informed the court.

He added that in the course of their investigation, they came across a company called Purple Wave, which he claimed “is one of the companies used as a conduit to sponsor the coup plot.”

According to the witness, two entries of September 19, 2025 showed a debit transaction of N100 million and another N50 million debit transaction.

Speaking further the witness disclosed that on September 22, 2025 there were two debit transactions of N100 million and N50 million; on September 24, 2025, N100 million and N50 million; on September 26, 2025, N80 million; on September 29, 2025, N70 million; on September 30, 2025, N90 million and on October 2, 2025, N90 million.

Meanwhile, the witness claimed the alleged plotters drew a plan for execution of the coup and identified key officers in the government and also identified the officers, who will assassinate them.

He claimed further that the alleged coup plotters also identified key targets to be attacked, including the Niger Barracks where senior military officers live, adding that there were also plans to take over some key roads and streets when the coup was being executed.

“The plotters also shared appointments among themselves, including agencies to be set up and those to be merged after the coup.

“The plotters also did extensive consultation and divination, in which some of the defendants took part, knowing that a coup was ongoing. They received money for these purposes.

“They also bought vehicles, which were recovered from shops where they were being retrofitted for kinetic purposes”, he told the court.

Earlier, the prosecution called two Compliance Officers from Jaiz Bank and SunTrust Bank. It also called a Legal Officer from Providus Bank.

The prosecution tendered through the first witness, Munahura Anas, a Compliance Officer with Jaiz Bank, documents, including statement of account in relation to an account owned by the sixth defendant, Abdulkadir Sani.

It also tendered through the second witness, Taiwo Adeola Wellington, a Compliance Officer with SunTrust Bank documents relating to an accountant maintained by Purple Wave Ltd.

The prosecution also tendered, through the third witness for the day, Gideon Elijah, a Legal Officer from Providus Bank, documents, including account statement relating to an account owned by a firm, A & A Express Link.

The first three witnesses from the banks were cross-examined by the defence lawyers.

Further hearing in the case has been adjourned till May 4 and 5 at 11 am during which the fourth prosecution witness will resume his testimony.