One of the defendants standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, Zekari Umoru, on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he was lured into the situation by co-suspects without full knowledge of their intentions.
Umoru, an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc attached to the Maintenance Department at the Presidential Villa, made the claim in a video-recorded statement presented before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik during proceedings.
The defendant, listed as the fourth accused in the 13-count charge bordering on treason and related offences, narrated how his involvement began in May 2025 through Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, the third defendant, who works at the Presidential Clinic.
According to him, Ibrahim introduced him to one Hassan Mohammed, later identified as “Col. Mohammed Ma’aji,” under the guise of offering him electrical work at a construction site. He said he initially believed Ma’aji to be a businessman, especially after receiving monetary transfers bearing his name.
Umoru disclosed that he received several cash payments from Ma’aji, sometimes in the presence of Ibrahim, including sums ranging between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 during meetings at a location identified as Tiger Bar.
He further told investigators that on September 24, 2025, Ma’aji allegedly handed him a bag filled with cash, which he later deposited in a Zenith Bank branch, amounting to ₦8.8 million. He added that an additional ₦2 million was given the following day during another meeting.
The defendant, however, stated that he became suspicious over the continuous flow of funds and sought clarification from Ibrahim, who allegedly told him that Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the state of the country and intended to “sanitise the government.”
Umoru said he was unaware of any concrete plan to stage a coup, insisting that he was deceived and would have withdrawn had he known the true identity or intentions of those involved.
He also recounted accompanying another associate, identified as Usman, into the Presidential Villa, noting that security checks were bypassed after he introduced the visitor as someone who came to see him. He added that he later cautioned Usman after noticing him taking photographs within his office.
In the video, Umoru denied any involvement in a coup plot and expressed regret over his actions, while apologising to his employer and pledging loyalty to the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, another video statement by an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, was also tendered in court. Goni denied any link to the alleged plot, stating that funds he received from Ma’aji were strictly for religious and charitable purposes.
However, investigators highlighted inconsistencies in his claims, citing financial records that showed transactions running into millions of naira, including a ₦10 million transfer in October 2024.
Prosecutors further noted that certain discussions captured in the recordings, including references to gaining access and acquiring “work tools,” raised suspicions of a coordinated scheme.
Counsel to the fifth defendant, Michael Numa (SAN), requested more time to review the video evidence, stating that it had only just been served on him.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to May 11, 12, and 13 for continuation of trial.
The Federal Government had, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, arraigned six defendants on charges including treason, terrorism, and money laundering.
Among those listed in the charge is a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is said to be at large.
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