Manny Ita –
A prosecution witness on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja how security operatives allegedly uncovered a plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, linking several suspects to the plot through intelligence findings, documents, and financial transactions.
The witness, an officer of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police identified only as “AAA,” testified under protective measures during the trial of a retired major-general and five others facing charges including treason, terrorism, and money laundering. The court, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, granted anonymity to the witness for security reasons.
According to the testimony, intelligence reports initially connected Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji with a broader conspiracy involving serving and retired military officers, as well as former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva. The report, said to have been received by then Chief of Army Staff Olufemi Oluyede, was deemed credible and triggered a full investigation.
The witness stated that Ma’aji was arrested and items recovered from him—including a phone and a notebook—allegedly contained operational plans, names of key government figures, and proposed structural changes to be implemented after the coup. Forensic analysis of the phone reportedly revealed links between the suspects.
Financial investigations also pointed to large sums of money moving through accounts tied to the suspects, with transactions running into hundreds of millions of naira within a short period. A company, Purple Waves Limited, was identified as a possible conduit for funding the alleged operation, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission involved in tracing the transactions.
The court heard that multiple meetings were allegedly held in Abuja, including at Green Land Apartment and Brookville Hotel, where participants discussed regime change, identified targets, and assigned roles. Evidence such as hotel receipts and booking records was presented in court.
The witness further claimed that the suspects discussed post-coup appointments and institutional restructuring, and even engaged in consultations, including spiritual practices, in preparation for the plan.
Defence lawyers challenged aspects of the testimony and evidence, particularly the manner in which some documents were introduced, but the court admitted several exhibits while reserving arguments for later stages of the trial.
The case was adjourned until 4 May for continuation of proceedings.
