Zekari Umoru, one of the defendants in the ongoing trial of six individuals accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu’s government, stated on Tuesday that he was deceived by his co-suspects.
Umoru, an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc in the Maintenance Department at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, made the claim in a video played before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Freedomonline reports that Umoru is the 4th defendant in the treasonable charge case.
In his video evidence, recorded during an extra-judicial statement, Umoru detailed how his connection with the co-conspirators began in May 2025, through Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, also attached to the Presidential Clinic. Ibrahim introduced him to Hassan Mohammed, whom Umoru later identified as “Col. Mohammed Ma’aji,” under the guise of offering him electrical work at a construction site.
Umoru initially believed Ma’aji to be a civilian businessman, especially after receiving multiple money transfers in Ma’aji’s name. He recalled several instances where he received money from Ma’aji, often in the presence of Ibrahim.
In one of their meetings, which took place at a location known as “Tiger Bar,” Ma’aji handed out money to Umoru and his associates, ranging between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000, after buying drinks and engaging in conversations about their professions.
A more substantial transaction occurred on September 24, 2025, when Ma’aji allegedly gave Umoru a “Ghana-Must-Go” bag filled with cash. Umoru deposited the funds, which amounted to ₦8.8 million, at a Zenith Bank branch. The following day, he and Ibrahim met Ma’aji again, during which Ma’aji handed over an additional ₦2 million and instructed Ibrahim to brief Umoru on the next steps.
Despite this, Umoru became uneasy about the constant flow of money and pressed Ibrahim for clarification. Ibrahim explained that Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the state of the country and planned to “sanitise the government,” allegedly with the help of unspecified associates known as “boys.”
Umoru, however, insisted that he was unaware of any concrete plans to overthrow the government and described his involvement as unintentional. He added that he would have distanced himself from Ma’aji had he known he was a military officer or if he had suspected any ulterior motives.
Additionally, Umoru recalled an incident where he escorted Usman, another associate, into the Presidential Villa. He explained that security personnel did not question them when he informed them that Usman was there to see him. However, he later found Usman taking photographs in his office and warned him against such behavior.
Umoru also expressed regret for his involvement and apologized to his employers, reaffirming his support for President Tinubu’s administration.
Another video recording played in court involved Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, an Islamic cleric. Goni, who relocated to Karu in Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri, Borno, denied any involvement in the coup plot. He stated that the funds he received from Col. Ma’aji were solely for prayers and charitable purposes, including spiritual intervention requests following a setback in his promotion.
However, investigators pointed out discrepancies in Goni’s claims, noting that funds had been transferred to him as early as March 2023, months before he mentioned his promotion issues. They also highlighted additional records showing millions of naira in transactions, including a ₦10 million transfer in October 2024. The investigators suggested that discussions about gaining access and acquiring “work tools” indicated a broader scheme.
During the hearing, Michael Numa, SAN, counsel for Goni, informed the court that he had just received the video evidence involving his client and requested more time to review it. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the trial to May 11, 12, and 13 for further proceedings.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), had arraigned the defendants on a 13-count charge before Justice Abdulmalik. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, was filed on April 20 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
Those named in the charge include retired Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, Capt. (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Insp. Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is also allegedly involved, remains at large.
The defendants face charges ranging from treason and terrorism to failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
