Alleged Coup: I warned plotters they’d fail—Cleric
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA–Trial of the six persons accused of complicity in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration through a coup d’état continued before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
At the resumed proceedings, the court saw a video where one of the defendants, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric, claimed he warned his co-defendants that the coup plot would fail and they would eventually be exposed.
The Zaria-based cleric, who was answering questions from investigators, further stated in the video evidence that was played before trial Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, that money was given to him to pray for the success of the operation.
He insisted that, despite the money offered to him for prayers, he told the arrowheads of the coup plot that their plan was doomed, as they would be sabotaged from within.
He insisted that, despite the money offered to him for prayers, he told the arrowheads of the coup plot that their plan was doomed, as they would be sabotaged from within.
The video recording was played in the open court while the fourth prosecution witness (PW4) was in the box.
According to the 6th defendant (Sheikh Sani), he had known the alleged ringleader, Colonel Mohammed Maaji for less than a year.
According to the 6th defendant (Sheikh Sani), he had known the alleged ringleader, Colonel Mohammed Maaji for less than a year.
He said they were linked through an intermediary identified as Sanda, to offer spiritual support for the plot.
The defendant added that Sanda informed him that his “Oga” intended to stage a coup and needed prayers regarding its likely success.
The defendant told investigators that after conducting the prayers, he told them that the plan would fail as two persons would eventually expose those involved.
He said after his warning, the plotters came back for more prayers those two individuals from sabotaging the coup plot.
Sheikh Sani further revealed that money was later transferred to him both for prayers and charity, with names of alleged participants in the coup forwarded for inclusion.
He said after his warning, the plotters came back for more prayers those two individuals from sabotaging the coup plot.
Sheikh Sani further revealed that money was later transferred to him both for prayers and charity, with names of alleged participants in the coup forwarded for inclusion.
The defendant said he learnt of arrest of some of the coup plotters through media reports after Sanda had informed him that Col. Maaji had been unreachable.
He insisted that funds he received were strictly for prayers and not in support of any coup attempt, adding that he could not expose the plot because he did not know who to report to.
The defendant, in the video recording, said he was arrested after he visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to resolve restrictions placed on his bank account.
The defendant, in the video recording, said he was arrested after he visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to resolve restrictions placed on his bank account.
He denied making any coup-related statement while in EFCC custody, adding that he was neither assaulted nor tortured.
Meanwhile, when the prosecution counsel moved to tender extra-judicial statements made by all six defendants before a Special Investigation Panel and military police authorities, in evidence, their lawyers opposed.
Meanwhile, when the prosecution counsel moved to tender extra-judicial statements made by all six defendants before a Special Investigation Panel and military police authorities, in evidence, their lawyers opposed.
They challenged the admissibility of the statement on the premise that they were not made voluntarily but through coercion, in violation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
The defence lawyers further contended that their clients were not afforded their right to legal representation during the interrogation, insisting there were discrepancies between video recordings and the defendants’ written statements.
Even though the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the objections, Justice Abdulmalik ordered a trial-within-trial to ascertain the voluntariness of the extra-judicial statements sought to be tendered.
The defence lawyers further contended that their clients were not afforded their right to legal representation during the interrogation, insisting there were discrepancies between video recordings and the defendants’ written statements.
Even though the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the objections, Justice Abdulmalik ordered a trial-within-trial to ascertain the voluntariness of the extra-judicial statements sought to be tendered.
The case was adjourned till Tuesday for the commencement of the trial-within-trial.
It will be recalled that another cleric, Sheikh Bukar Kashim Goni, who is also facing trial over the alleged coup plot, had also revealed that over N10 million was transferred to his bank account for prayers.
It will be recalled that another cleric, Sheikh Bukar Kashim Goni, who is also facing trial over the alleged coup plot, had also revealed that over N10 million was transferred to his bank account for prayers.
Other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, which was filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; and Zekeri Umoru.
The FG, in the charge before the court, alleged that the defendants, sometime in September 2025, conspired to levy war against the state to overawe President Tinubu—an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
It was further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Col. Ma’aji and others but failed to alert the appropriate authorities.
It was further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Col. Ma’aji and others but failed to alert the appropriate authorities.
The FG stated that they rendered assistance to Col. Ma’aji, as shown by their failure to disclose the coup plot to the President or a peace officer.
The defendants were also accused of failing to take preventive steps, having “not used any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence.”
Other allegations centred on terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants were said to have conspired to commit an act of terrorism in Nigeria.
The defendants were also accused of failing to take preventive steps, having “not used any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence.”
Other allegations centred on terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendants were said to have conspired to commit an act of terrorism in Nigeria.
Upon their arraignment before the court on April 22, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge and were remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending determination of the case.
Timipre Sylva—a former governor of Bayelsa State who also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari—was also mentioned in the charge.
Timipre Sylva—a former governor of Bayelsa State who also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari—was also mentioned in the charge.
The former governor is said to be at large after fleeing the country before the alleged coup plot was exposed.
The allegations against the defendants include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering in furtherance of terrorist acts.
The allegations against the defendants include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering in furtherance of terrorist acts.
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