ALLEGED COUP: “I WAS DECEIVED” — ASO ROCK WORKER SPEAKS, DENIES KNOWLEDGE OF TREASONABLE PLAN

One of the defendants in the ongoing trial over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he was deceived by co-suspects and had no knowledge of any plan to overthrow the government.

The defendant, Zekari Umoru, made the claim in video evidence played on Tuesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Umoru, a maintenance staff member with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc stationed at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, is the fourth defendant in the alleged treason case involving six accused persons.

According to his recorded statement presented in court, Umoru said his contact with individuals later linked to the case began in May 2025 through another defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who was also attached to the Presidential Clinic.

He said Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, later revealed to be a military officer referred to as “Col. Mohammed Ma’aji,” under the guise of offering electrical contract work.

Umoru told investigators that he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian businessman and began receiving payments for what he thought were legitimate jobs, including several cash transfers and visits involving other associates.

He further stated that he later received a large sum of ₦8.8 million, which he deposited in a bank, and another ₦2 million shortly after.

However, he told the court that he became suspicious and questioned Ibrahim about the frequent cash transactions, at which point he was allegedly told that Ma’aji intended to “sanitise the government” with the help of unnamed individuals.

Umoru maintained in the video that he never knowingly participated in any coup plot and insisted he was misled throughout his interactions.

He also expressed regret, apologising to his employer and affirming loyalty to the Tinubu administration.

In a separate video played in court, an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, also denied involvement in the alleged plot.

Goni told investigators that funds received from Col. Ma’aji were strictly for religious purposes, including prayers and charitable activities, and not linked to any political or military plan.

Prosecutors, however, pointed to financial records showing multiple transactions running into millions of naira, including payments dating back to 2023, which they said raised concerns about inconsistencies in his account.

Counsel to the fifth defendant, Michael Numa (SAN), informed the court that he had just received the video evidence and requested additional time to review it.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to May 11, 12, and 13 for continuation of trial.

The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, has filed a 13-count charge against the defendants, including allegations of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security information, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.

The case also lists retired military officers among the accused, while a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, is named as being at large.