Cleric Denies Involvement in Alleged Coup Plot against Tinubu

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A video recording played at the ongoing trial of six defendants accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, showed the fifth defendant, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, denying any involvement in the alleged plot.

The moslem cleric also told investigators during interrogation that millions of naira transferred to him by the principal suspect, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, were strictly for “prayers and charitable purposes.”

The video recording which forms part of the evidence of the prosecution contained the extra-judicial statement of the fifth defendant.

Recall that the federal government had on April 22 arraigned the six defendants; Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

They were arraigned on a 13-count criminal charge bordering on alleged plot to levy war against the state to overthrow the President of the country, among others.

They however pleaded not guilty to all the counts contained in the charge.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, the court previewed a recorded extra-judicial statement made by Goni during investigation.

In the video played in court, the fifth defendant claimed that he relocated to Karu in Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The cleric also told investigators that his relationship with Ma’aji was based on religious interactions and requests for spiritual support, adding that the principal suspect approached him for prayers over alleged delays in promotion and other personal challenges.

Goni maintained that monies transferred to him were tied solely to religious activities and charity.

However, investigators in the video challenged his explanation with financial records allegedly showing that transfers had started as far back as March 2023, months before the promotion-related issues he referenced.

The prosecution further pointed to transactions allegedly running into millions of naira, including a N10 million transfer said to have been made in October 2024.

Investigators also suggested that discussions captured in the course of the probe, including references to gaining “access” and acquiring “work tools,” raised suspicion about a broader operation allegedly linked to the coup plot.

The fifth defendant however, denied knowledge of any illegal plan and maintained that he had no involvement in political or military activities.

Besides that of the cleric, the court also viewed another video involving the fourth defendant, Zekari Umoru, an employee in the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa working with Julius Berger Nigeria.

The fourth defendant in the recording, told investigators that he was “misled” into associating with Ma’aji, just as he denied knowingly participating in any coup plot.

Umoru, who admitted receiving several cash payments, including a “Ghana Must Go” bag allegedly containing ₦8.8 million, however claimed that he believed the transactions were related to business opportunities.

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