Coup Suspect Reveals Alleged Plot To Breach Aso Rock, Capture Tinubu
Court Hears Details of Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu
FRESH revelations have emerged in the ongoing trial of suspected coup plotters accused of planning to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, as one of the defendants allegedly disclosed how conspirators discussed infiltrating the Presidential Villa and disrupting electricity supply within the nation’s seat of power.
The disclosures were made before the Federal High Court in Abuja during proceedings presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where video evidence involving one of the suspects, Zekeri Umoru, was played in open court.
Umoru, an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc attached to the Maintenance Department at the Presidential Villa, allegedly narrated conversations surrounding plans to gain access to Aso Rock and possibly abduct President Tinubu and other senior government officials.
The case has intensified public attention around security vulnerabilities within the Presidential Villa and renewed concerns over insider threats in Nigeria’s security architecture.
Alleged Plan to Cut Electricity at the Villa
According to the video evidence presented in court, Umoru told investigators that discussions were held around sabotaging electricity supply to the Presidential Villa as part of the alleged operation.
He reportedly warned the conspirators that disconnecting power would immediately attract suspicion and trigger internal investigations targeting workers stationed at the Villa.
The defendant denied having operational access to the Villa’s solar power infrastructure despite allegations suggesting he was expected to compromise the system.
Court proceedings revealed that investigators were probing whether the planned disruption formed part of a broader strategy to create confusion and weaken security response mechanisms during the alleged operation.
Claims of Recruitment Inside Presidential Villa
Umoru further alleged that the suspected mastermind of the operation, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, sought to recruit insiders within the Presidential Villa through financial inducements.
According to his statement, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim allegedly acted as an intermediary and delivered funds intended to mobilise between 18 and 19 individuals working within the Villa complex.
Those allegedly targeted for recruitment reportedly included military personnel, officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), and workers employed by Julius Berger.
The defendant claimed the alleged conspirators considered accessing the Villa through an ambulance route and that discussions involved demands for as much as ₦100 million to facilitate entry into the complex.
He alleged that Ma’aji rejected the amount as excessive and insisted he could force entry if necessary, even if it resulted in violence and bloodshed.
Suspect Says He Became Uncomfortable
The court also heard that Umoru eventually became uneasy about the alleged plans and attempted repeatedly to return the money he had received.
According to him, he realised the seriousness of the operation and concluded that infiltrating the Presidential Villa “was no child’s play.”
He also claimed he was discouraged from reporting the matter to authorities after Inspector Ibrahim allegedly advised him to delete communications connected to the plot due to ongoing audits in their office.
The defence is currently challenging the voluntariness of statements obtained from the accused persons, leading to the ongoing “trial-within-trial” proceedings.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until 21 May for continuation of hearing.
FG Files Terrorism, Treason Charges
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, has filed a 13-count charge against six defendants linked to the alleged coup conspiracy.
The charges include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering connected to terrorism financing.
Those standing trial include retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was also named in the charge as being at large.
The case, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), has become one of Nigeria’s most politically sensitive security trials in recent years.
