Coup Trial: Defendant Claims He Was ‘Misled’ as Court Reviews Video Evidence

Fresh details emerged on Tuesday in the alleged coup plot trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as one of the defendants, Zekeri Umoru, insisted in a recorded statement that he had no knowledge of any plan to topple the government of Bola Tinubu.

Umoru, who is the fourth defendant in the six-man trial, told investigators in a video played in open court that his involvement with individuals linked to the case was based on what he believed were legitimate business dealings.

The session, presided over by Joyce Abdulmalik, began on a solemn note following the reported death of a legal practitioner, U.H. Kamra, in a road accident shortly after Monday’s proceedings. The court observed a minute’s silence before continuing with the hearing.

In his statement, Umoru, a maintenance staff member at the Presidential Villa working with Julius Berger Nigeria, said he was introduced to a key figure in the case through Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim of the Presidential Clinic.

He explained that Ibrahim connected him to a man he initially knew as Hassan Mohammed, later identified as Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji. According to Umoru, he believed the man was a businessman offering electrical contract opportunities.

He recounted attending a number of meetings alongside Ibrahim and another associate, Usman, during which he allegedly received cash gifts. At one gathering in a bar, he said he was given between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 after drinks were served and conversations held about their professions.

Umoru further stated that he later received a bag filled with cash, which he deposited at Zenith Bank, where the sum was counted as ₦8.8 million. He added that an additional ₦2 million was allegedly handed to him the following day.

The defendant told investigators he began to question the source and purpose of the payments, prompting him to seek clarification from Ibrahim. He claimed Ibrahim responded that Ma’aji was unhappy with the situation in the country and was considering actions to “sanitise the government,” with support from unnamed associates.

He also alleged that there were discussions about using an ambulance driver to gain access into the Presidential Villa, with promises of financial reward.

Despite these revelations, Umoru maintained that he was unaware of any coup plan, stressing that he had been deceived.

“I was misled,” he said, adding that he would have cut ties if he had known of any ulterior motive.

He admitted facilitating entry for Usman into the Presidential Villa but said he later cautioned him after noticing he was taking photographs within restricted areas.

Umoru expressed remorse during the interview, apologising to his employers and affirming loyalty to the government.

The court also viewed a separate video involving Islamic cleric Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, who denied any involvement in the alleged plot. Goni maintained that funds he received were for religious and charitable purposes, including prayers linked to personal matters.

However, the prosecution pointed to financial records indicating transfers running into millions of naira, including a ₦10 million transaction in October 2024, which it said raised questions about his claims.

Prosecutors further argued that conversations captured in the video evidence—particularly references to access routes and “work tools”—suggested elements of a broader plan, even though the defendants denied any intention to overthrow the government.

During the proceedings, senior lawyer Michael Numa requested more time to review newly served video exhibits relating to his client. But the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to maintain the accelerated hearing schedule.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the trial to May 11, 12 and 13 for continuation.

At the previous sitting, the court had examined additional video statements in which other defendants reportedly acknowledged meetings and coded communications, while denying any concrete plan to overthrow the government.