Nigeria: FG tenders video confessions in court over alleged 2026 coup plot
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
The Federal Government on Monday presented video evidence in the Federal High Court, Abuja, to back its case against six defendants accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration through a coup in September 2026
Ochegobia Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. Former Bayelsa governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva was also named in the charge but is said to be at large.
They face a 13-count charge covering treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorist acts. All six pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on and remain in DSS custody.
At Tuesday hearing, prosecutors played video clips of interrogations with three defendants. While retired Maj. Gen. Gana denied knowledge of the plot, retired Navy Captain Victor and Inspector Ibrahim admitted they were aware of it.
Gana, who retired in 2010 as Chief of Defence Logistics, told investigators he knew the alleged coordinator, Colonel M. A. Ma’aji, but was unaware of any coup plan. He said Ma’aji had complained about a stalled promotion, and that he would have reported any plot if he had known. Gana admitted sharing via WhatsApp an old coup speech by Joshua Dongayaro and other anti-government messages, but said he only forwarded them and did not edit or originate the content.
He also acknowledged receiving a N2 million transfer that investigators linked to the case. He denied conducting reconnaissance at the Presidential Villa or raising funds for the plot.
Retired Captain Victor admitted knowing Ma’aji and being aware of the plan to overthrow the government. He said Ma’aji “out of anger, said he wanted to overthrow the system” over his promotion issues. Victor claimed he advised Ma’aji to retire instead and declined requests to fund the plot or secure an apartment. He confirmed they used a secure messaging platform and coded language, but said he never took operational steps.
Expressing regret, he pleaded for clemency: “I feel so bad that I find myself in this situation. I am pleading for clemency.” He argued that if the government grants amnesty to repentant terrorists, he should also be forgiven given his years of service.
Inspector Ibrahim, attached to the State House, told investigators he was first asked to help Ma’aji secure a promotion through government contacts. He said talks later shifted to plans to overthrow the government. Ibrahim admitted receiving between N1.4 million and N1.5 million and taking part in reconnaissance around the Presidential Villa. He photographed parts of the Villa, including the President’s residence and access routes, and confirmed coded terms like “fertiliser” and “
farming” referred to funding and the operation. He insisted he “merely played along” because he believed the plotters could not access the State House.
Defense lawyers objected to the video evidence, arguing the statements were not made voluntarily. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik overruled the objection but ordered a trial-within-trial to determine if the statements were freely given.
The Federal Government alleges the group conspired in September 2025 to levy war against the state to intimidate President Tinubu, an offense under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code. Prosecutors also say the defendants had prior knowledge of the treasonable act involving Col. Ma’aji but failed to alert authorities, and that they conspired to commit terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
