Movie Director Stanley Amandi Among Those Arrested in Connection with Coup Plot Against President Tinubu

Stanley Amandi, a Nollywood director and former leader of the Actors Guild of Nigeria’s Enugu State chapter, has been detained since September 2025 in connection with an alleged plot to violently overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, according to PREMIUM TIMES sources.

This marks the first public disclosure of Mr Amandi’s connection to the alleged conspiracy.

According to information obtained by this newspaper, the filmmaker was allegedly recruited to serve as a propagandist for military officers accused of planning to assassinate key government figures, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

The Defence Headquarters confirmed on Monday that it has completed investigations into what it described as a plot to illegally remove the current administration. Military officials stated that implicated officers will face military judicial panels.

In its statement, the Defence Headquarters said the probe was “comprehensive” and identified “a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government.” The military characterized such actions as violating “the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

The investigation findings have been sent to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations,” according to the statement.

In October, 16 officers were under investigation, though the army initially characterized the probe as examining “indiscipline and breach of service regulations” rather than coup plotting.

Sources indicate additional military personnel and civilians were subsequently arrested as the investigation widened.

Military officers among the suspects are expected to face court martials before potential civil proceedings, while civilians like Mr Amandi will be tried in civil courts, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Mr Amandi has worked extensively in Nollywood as an actor, production manager, and director. His credits include directing “The Album” and “Tiger King” (2008), producing “Cornerstone” (2019), and acting in “Once Upon a Dream” (2024).

His last social media activity was an Instagram post on September 19, 2025, shortly before his arrest.