Alleged Coup Plot: Army Reveals How Plan to Oust Bola Tinubu Was Uncovered

 …ex-governor Timipre Sylva linked to scheme

By Joseph Akande 

ABUJA – The Nigerian Army has told a Federal High Court in Abuja how it uncovered an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

An officer of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, whose identity was shielded for security reasons, testified against six individuals accused of masterminding the plot.

As Vanguard newspaper reported, those facing trial include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, alongside Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.

The prosecution also mentioned former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva—who once served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources—as being linked to the case. He is reportedly at large following the exposure of the alleged plot.

The witness, identified simply as “AAA,” explained that the investigation began after intelligence was received by the Chief of Army Staff indicating that Colonel M. A. Ma’aji and others were planning to overthrow the democratically elected government.

According to him, the intelligence was analysed and found credible, prompting a detailed investigation that led to arrests.

During the operation, security operatives arrested Col. Ma’aji and recovered a Samsung Galaxy phone as well as a jotter from his residence.

The witness told the court that the jotter contained operational plans, names and designations of top government officials, and officers allegedly marked as targets, alongside proposed political and structural changes after the planned takeover.

“Inside the jotter, we also found information about political and structural changes that were to be made upon the execution of the coup,” the witness stated.

Further forensic analysis of the phone reportedly uncovered detailed communication linking the defendants, including coded exchanges and financial transactions connected to the alleged plot.

“We also found financial trails between Ma’aji, former Governor Timipre Sylva and some of the defendants here before the court.

“Also, inside the phone, we found code words known among the plotters, including some of the defendants before this court.

“We also observed financial trails between some of the defendants and Col. M. A. Ma’aji. Monies were paid to some of the defendants in pursuit of the coup plot,” the witness added.

Investigators also identified a company, Purple Wave, which was allegedly used to channel funds for the operation. Financial records obtained with the assistance of the EFCC revealed multiple transactions amounting to hundreds of millions of naira between September and October 2025.

Although the payments were described as legitimate transactions, the witness said investigations showed they were actually used to fund the alleged coup plan.

The court further heard that several meetings were held at locations such as Green Land Apartment and BrookVille Hotel in Abuja, where discussions reportedly centred on removing the current administration.

“They discussed negative things about the government and concluded that there was the need for a regime change,” the witness said, adding that the conspirators mapped out targets and roles.

According to the testimony, key locations including military barracks were identified as targets, while plans were also made to seize major roads and strategic areas during the operation.

“The plotters also shared appointments among themselves, including agencies to be set up and those to be merged after the coup.

“They also bought vehicles, which were recovered from shops where they were being retrofitted for kinetic purposes,” the witness further stated.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted several documents and digital materials presented by the prosecution, including phone extracts and recorded statements of the defendants.

The court also granted permission for certain witnesses to remain anonymous due to security concerns.

The defendants are facing charges including treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering. They all pleaded not guilty.

The case has been adjourned to May 4 and 5 for further hearing.