I Was Misled, Alleged Coup Suspect Says

The fourth defendant in the alleged coup plot trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Zekeri Umoru, on Tuesday, denied knowledge of any plan to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.

He insisted, in a recorded statement played in court during GB’s trial, that he was “misled.”

Umoru, an employee in the maintenance department at Julius Berger Nigeria who works at the Presidential Villa, said this in a video previewed by the court.

Also, after investigators confronted an Islamic cleric with financial records showing multi-million-naira transfers allegedly linked to the principal suspect, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, he denied the allegations.

The cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, denied involvement in any plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, insisting that all funds he received were strictly for “prayers and charitable purposes.

In the video played in open court, Umoru told investigators that he first came in contact with persons linked to the case through the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, attached to the Presidential Clinic.

He said Ibrahim introduced him to a man named Hassan Mohammed, whom he later learned was Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji.

According to Umoru, he initially believed Ma’aji was “a civilian businessman” interested in offering him electrical work at a building under construction.

The defendant recounted that he allegedly received several cash payments from Ma’aji during meetings attended by Ibrahim and another associate, Usman.

He told investigators that during one gathering at one Tiger Bar, Ma’aji allegedly gave “between N100,000 and ₦120,000” to him and his associates after buying drinks and asking about their professions.

Umoru further stated that on 24 September 2025, Ma’aji allegedly handed him a “Ghana Must Go” bag containing cash.

He said he deposited the money at a Zenith Bank branch where it was counted and found to be N8.8m.

According to him, another N2m was allegedly given the following day during a separate meeting involving Inspector Ibrahim.

The defendant said he later became uncomfortable with the repeated cash payments and demanded an explanation from Ibrahim.

He alleged that Ibrahim told him Ma’aji was unhappy with the state of the country and planned to “sanitise the government” with support from unnamed associates described as “boys.”

Umoru further claimed that Ibrahim spoke of involving “an ambulance driver” to facilitate access to the Presidential Villa, with the expectation of a financial reward.

Despite the claims, Umoru repeatedly denied knowledge of any coup plot.

“I was misled,” he said in the video, insisting he would have distanced himself from Ma’aji had he known he was a military officer or had “any intention beyond business dealings.”

The defendant also admitted escorting Usman into the Presidential Villa, stating that security officials allowed the visitor entry after he indicated the man was there to see him.

He added that he later saw Usman “taking photographs” in his office and warned him against it.

Umoru expressed regret during the interview, apologising to his employers and affirming support for President Tinubu’s administration.

The court also viewed another video involving an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, who denied involvement in the alleged coup plot.

Goni told investigators that the money he received from Ma’aji was strictly for “prayers and charitable purposes,” including spiritual interventions connected to alleged promotion setbacks.

However, investigators pointed to financial records allegedly showing transfers running into millions of naira, including a “N10m transfer” in October 2024, which they said contradicted aspects of his explanation.

The prosecution further suggested that discussions referenced in the videos, including remarks about gaining access and acquiring “work tools,” raised concerns about a broader scheme. However, both individuals denied any knowledge of a coup plot.

Following the preview of the video statement, counsel to the sixth defendant, senior counsel Michael Numa, told the court he had just received the video exhibits for his client and needed more time to review them.

While defence counsels argued for the case to be adjourned to a later date, prosecution counsels and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to stand by its earlier order for the accelerated hearing of the case. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter till May 11, 12, and 13 for the continuation of the trial.