The fourth defendant in the trial of six persons being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged coup plot to overthrow the government of Bola Tinubu told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday that he had no knowledge of any such plan, insisting in a recorded statement that he was misled.
Zekeri Umoru, an employee in the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa working with Julius Berger Nigeria, made the claim in a video recording played in court as part of the prosecution’s evidence against the defendants.
Proceedings began on a sombre note after defence counsel informed the court of the death of a colleague, U.H. Kamra, who reportedly died in a car accident following the previous day’s sitting. The trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, observed a minute’s silence before ordering the continuation of the trial.
In the video played in open court, Umoru told investigators that he first came into contact with individuals linked to the case through the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, attached to the Presidential Clinic.
He said Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, whom he later discovered to be 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 receiving several cash payments from Ma’aji during meetings attended by Ibrahim and another associate identified as Usman. He told investigators that during one gathering at a Tiger Bar, Ma’aji allegedly gave “between N100,000 and N120,000” to him and his associates after buying drinks and asking about their professions.
Umoru further stated that on September 24, 2025, Ma’aji allegedly handed him a “Ghana must go” bag containing cash, which he deposited at a Zenith Bank branch, where it was counted and found to be N8.8 million. He added that another N2 million 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 “sanitize the government” with support from unnamed associates described as “boys.”
Umoru also claimed that Ibrahim spoke about involving “an ambulance driver” to facilitate access into the Presidential Villa, with expectations of financial reward.
Despite these claims, Umoru repeatedly denied any knowledge of a coup plot.
“I was misled,” he said in the video, insisting that 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 his support for President Tinubu’s administration.
The court also viewed another video involving Islamic cleric Sheikh Imam Kashim Goni, who denied involvement in the alleged coup plot.
Goni told investigators that monies he received from Ma’aji were strictly for “prayers and charitable purposes,” including spiritual interventions related to alleged promotion setbacks.
However, investigators pointed to financial records allegedly showing transfers running into millions of naira, including a N10 million 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, though both individuals denied any knowledge of a coup plot.
Following the presentation of the video statement, counsel to the sixth defendant, Michael Numa, SAN, told the court that he had just received the video exhibits relating to his client and needed more time to review them.
While defence counsel requested an adjournment, prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to maintain its earlier order for accelerated hearing of the case.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until May 11, 12, and 13, 2026, for continuation of trial.
