- An officer of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police testified in federal court regarding an uncovered plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
- The witness claimed that intelligence reports and financial trails linked the alleged conspiracy to former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva and a serving officer, Col. Mohammed Maaji.
- The case involves a retired major-general and five other individuals facing 13 counts, including treason, terrorism, and money laundering.
- The court granted the witness full protective cover, shielding his identity from public disclosure due to security concerns.
Serious allegations of a plot to effect regime change in Nigeria emerged on Wednesday during a trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Eko Hot Blog reports that a protected witness from the Nigerian Army provided evidence linking military personnel, civilians, and a former governor to a planned coup against the current administration.
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The witness testified that the investigation was triggered by intelligence received by the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede.
According to the testimony, investigators arrested Col. Mohammed Maaji and recovered a Samsung Galaxy Z-series phone and a jotter containing operational plans.
These materials allegedly listed ranking members of the current government targeted for assassination and outlined a new structural plan for the government.
The Army officer further detailed financial investigations that uncovered transactions running into hundreds of millions of naira between September and October 2025.
These trails allegedly linked Col. Maaji, former Governor Timipre Sylva, and other defendants through a company identified as Purple Waves Limited.
The court also heard that alleged coordination meetings took place at Green Land Apartment and Brookville Hotel in Abuja.
Investigators reportedly recovered hotel records and receipts that were admitted as evidence, despite objections from the defense team.
The defendants, who were arraigned on April 22 and have pleaded not guilty, include retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana and retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, among others.
While the defense urged the court to restrain the witness from making definitive claims of a planned overthrow, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the trial must proceed, noting that such arguments should be raised during final addresses.
The prosecution’s attempt to tender video recordings of statements made by the suspects was blocked by the defense, who argued the materials had not been properly frontloaded.
Justice Abdulmalik ordered the prosecution to comply with procedural requirements before adjourning the trial to May 4, 2026.
