A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday played a video recording containing the alleged confession of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Abdulkadir, who is standing trial alongside five others over an alleged coup plot against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the video presented before the court, Abdulkadir reportedly told investigators that although he was approached to offer prayers for the alleged coup plotters, he warned them the operation would fail and that those involved would eventually be exposed.
The recording was played during the continuation of proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, while the fourth prosecution witness, identified as PW4, remained in the witness box.
In the footage, the cleric said he became acquainted with the alleged ringleader, identified as Colonel Ma’aji, less than a year ago through a man known as Sanda.
According to Abdulkadir, Sanda informed him that his superior was planning a coup and requested prayers and spiritual consultation regarding the success of the operation.
The defendant stated that after carrying out prayers, he informed them that the plot would fail and that two persons within the group would eventually betray the others.
He further disclosed that Sanda later returned with another request for prayers to prevent the alleged betrayal from happening.
Abdulkadir said funds were subsequently transferred to him for prayers and charity, while names of persons allegedly linked to the plot were also sent to him for inclusion during the prayers.
The cleric added that he later learnt through media reports that arrests had been made over the alleged coup after Sanda informed him that Colonel Ma’aji had disappeared for several days.
He maintained in the video that the money sent to him was strictly for prayers and not payment for supporting any attempt to overthrow the government.
Abdulkadir also admitted that although he understood that a coup meant a military takeover of government, he did not report the alleged discussions because he did not know who to approach.
The defendant narrated that he was eventually arrested after visiting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over restrictions placed on his bank account.
According to him, he discovered the account had been flagged while attempting to withdraw part of the money transferred to him.
He said he later contacted a deputy director at the commission and was invited for questioning, where he explained that the funds were intended for prayers.
Abdulkadir also stated in the recording that he was neither assaulted nor tortured and that his statements were made voluntarily.
Following the playback, the prosecution sought to tender the extra-judicial statements of the first to fifth defendants allegedly made before a Special Investigation Panel and military police authorities, alongside the sixth defendant’s statement.
However, counsel to all six defendants objected to the admissibility of the statements and accompanying video evidence.
The defence lawyers argued that the statements were either involuntary or obtained in breach of provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Some of the defence counsel also contended that their clients were denied legal representation during interrogation, while others alleged coercion, inducement, and torture.
Responding, the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the objections and requested a single trial-within-trial proceeding to determine the admissibility of the disputed statements.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik ordered a joint trial-within-trial to determine whether the written and video statements of the defendants were voluntarily made and admissible in evidence.
The case was adjourned until May 12, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.
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