The fourth defendant in the alleged coup plot trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Zekeri Umoru, on Tuesday denied any knowledge of plans to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, insisting he was “misled”.
A maintenance staff member at the Presidential Villa employed by Julius Berger Nigeria, Umoru made the assertion in a recorded video statement played in open court as part of the prosecution’s evidence against six defendants standing trial over the alleged plot.
Proceedings opened on a sombre note after defence counsel announced the death of a colleague, U.H. Kamra, who reportedly died in a car accident following Monday’s sitting.
The presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, observed a minute’s silence before directing that the trial continue.
In the video evidence, Umoru told investigators that he was introduced to individuals connected to the case by the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who is attached to the Presidential Clinic.
He said Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, whom he later learned was Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji.
According to Umoru, he initially believed Ma’aji to be a civilian businessman interested in offering him electrical work at a construction site.
He recounted receiving several cash payments from Ma’aji during meetings attended by Ibrahim and another associate, Usman.
At a gathering at a location identified as Tiger Bar, Umoru alleged that Ma’aji gave him and his associates between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 after providing drinks and inquiring about their professions.
He further stated that on September 24, 2025, Ma’aji handed him a “Ghana Must Go” bag containing cash, which he deposited at a branch of Zenith Bank.
The funds, he said, were counted and found to total ₦8.8 million. He added that an additional ₦2 million was given the following day during another meeting involving Inspector Ibrahim.
Umoru told investigators that he later became uneasy about the repeated payments and sought clarification from Ibrahim.
He alleged that Ibrahim informed him that Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the state of the country and intended to “sanitise the government” with support from unnamed associates.
The suspect also claimed Ibrahim discussed involving an ambulance driver to facilitate access into the Presidential Villa, with promises of financial reward.
Despite these claims, Umoru maintained that he was unaware of any coup plot.
“I was misled,” he said in the video, adding that he would have distanced himself had he known Ma’aji’s military background or any alleged ulterior motive.
The defendant admitted escorting an associate, Usman, into the Presidential Villa, stating that security personnel allowed entry after he identified the visitor as his guest.
He said he later observed Usman taking photographs in his office and cautioned him against the act.
Expressing regret during the interview, Umoru apologised to his employers and reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration.
The court also reviewed a separate video involving an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, who similarly denied involvement in the alleged plot.
Goni told investigators that funds he received from Ma’aji were meant solely for prayers and charitable activities, including spiritual interventions related to alleged promotion challenges.
However, investigators cited financial records indicating transfers amounting to millions of naira, including a ₦10 million transfer in October 2024, which they said contradicted aspects of his explanation.
The prosecution further argued that discussions referenced in the video evidence, including remarks about gaining access and acquiring “work tools”, raised concerns about a broader scheme, though both individuals denied any knowledge of a coup attempt.
Following the presentation of the video statements, senior advocate Michael Numa, representing the sixth defendant, told the court he had only recently received the video exhibits and required additional time to review them.
While defence counsel sought an adjournment, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to maintain its earlier directive for an accelerated hearing.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case to May 11, 12 and 13 for continuation of the trial.
At an earlier sitting on Monday, the court had viewed separate video evidence in which other defendants reportedly admitted to coded communications, meetings and reconnaissance activities around the Presidential Villa but denied involvement in any concrete plan to overthrow the government.
