The Clerics & The Alleged Coup: How Millions Of Naira Entered A Secret Investigation

By NJORIGE LYNUS

Inside the alleged coup plot: The search for spiritual backing

DOCUMENTS presented as part of the prosecution’s evidence in the ongoing trial over an alleged 2025 coup plot have revealed an unusual dimension of the case: investigators say the alleged mastermind, Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, sought assistance from Islamic clerics alongside his alleged efforts to mobilise military personnel and other supporters.

The records indicate that Ma’aji allegedly approached religious figures for prayers, spiritual guidance and what investigators believe may have amounted to attempts to secure spiritual backing for his plans against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The clerics, however, have denied supporting any attempt to overthrow the government. Their statements suggest that at least some of them instead tried to discourage Ma’aji from pursuing what he reportedly described as a “riot”.

The accounts are contained in a large body of investigation materials now being relied upon by prosecutors in proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja and a General Court Martial.

Importantly, the allegations have not been finally established. The defendants have pleaded not guilty and have challenged the admissibility of statements attributed to them.

A military career becomes part of the story

According to the statement attributed to Islamic cleric Bukar Goni, Ma’aji’s relationship with him developed against the backdrop of frustration over military promotion examinations.

Goni said he first became connected to Major M.A. Usman, who allegedly sought prayers after repeatedly failing Staff and Command examinations. It was through Usman that Ma’aji was later introduced to the cleric.

The cleric told investigators that Ma’aji was deeply distressed by his repeated failure to secure promotion to the rank of brigadier general.

He allegedly believed that some senior officers were deliberately preventing his advancement.

Goni said he advised him to undertake sadaka, or charitable giving or sacrifice, as part of the spiritual intervention he sought.

According to the statement, Ma’aji subsequently made several payments ranging from hundreds of thousands of naira to about ₦1 million.

The prayers, however, did not produce the desired promotion. Goni said Ma’aji returned after another failed examination, reportedly in tears.

That professional disappointment, according to the cleric’s account, later became intertwined with discussions about an alleged uprising.

When prayers met an alleged political plan

Goni told investigators that Ma’aji eventually began referring to a group of “boys” who wanted to stage what he called a “riot”.

The cleric said he considered the plan dangerous and attempted to dissuade Ma’aji.

He also claimed that Usman privately asked him to use his influence to calm the colonel and delay the planned action.

According to Goni, those interventions allegedly resulted in the postponement of the proposed operation on two occasions.

The cleric also described an attempt to persuade Ma’aji through a dream.

He allegedly told the colonel that he would have a particular dream within 20 days. When Ma’aji later reported dreaming that insects covered his legs, Goni interpreted it as a warning against whatever action he was contemplating.

The colonel allegedly appeared persuaded and temporarily abandoned the plan.

But according to the statement, the discussions later resumed.

The trail of millions of naira

The financial dimension of the allegations is among the most significant elements of Goni’s account.

He acknowledged receiving substantial payments from Ma’aji but maintained that the money was intended for prayers, charitable activities and the construction of a mosque.

According to the statement, Ma’aji transferred about ₦10 million within 15 days.

Two additional transfers of ₦20 million each were also allegedly made.

Goni said he initially believed the money was connected to a mosque project previously discussed with Ma’aji during his son’s wedding in Maiduguri.

He told investigators that he eventually used about ₦24.7 million to acquire land for the project, while the remaining funds were retained for development.

The cleric denied that the money represented payment for participation in a coup.

That distinction could become important in court because prosecutors must establish the purpose and context of the financial transactions rather than merely prove that money changed hands.

Another cleric & another warning

The investigation records also contain a statement attributed to Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric based in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Sani said he initially met Ma’aji during a religious celebration at the Emir’s palace in Bida.

Their first interaction, according to his statement, was routine. Ma’aji allegedly greeted him and requested prayers.

Sani said he was not initially told anything about a coup.

The situation allegedly changed after a middleman, identified as Adamu, approached him with information from his superior.

Sani claimed that the alleged plan was eventually disclosed to him and that he immediately warned those involved that it would fail.

He allegedly predicted that two members of the group would betray the operation.

According to his statement, Ma’aji subsequently contacted him again because he was concerned about the alleged prediction of betrayal.

A ₦2 million transfer allegedly followed.

The bank account that drew investigators’ attention

The financial trail eventually brought Sani into direct contact with investigators.

According to his statement, his bank account was restricted after the transfer.

He said he visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to seek clarification after discovering that the account had been flagged.

The visit, he told investigators, resulted in his arrest.

The episode illustrates how the alleged conspiracy investigation expanded beyond military personnel and into financial and civilian networks.

What the evidence can—& cannot—establish

The clerics’ statements form part of the prosecution’s case. But their accounts must still survive legal scrutiny.

The defendants have challenged the admissibility of statements obtained during the investigation. Some have argued that their statements were not voluntarily made, while the prosecution maintains that investigators followed due process.

The court must therefore determine not only what the statements say but whether they can legally be admitted as evidence.

This distinction is crucial.

A statement contained in an investigation file is not, by itself, proof that every allegation within it is true.

A wider picture of the alleged conspiracy

The religious dimension adds another layer to an investigation that prosecutors say involved military officers, civilians, financial transactions and clandestine communications.

If established in court, the alleged effort to seek spiritual intervention would suggest that the conspirators were pursuing support through multiple channels rather than relying exclusively on military networks.

But the statements also present a more complicated picture.

The clerics portrayed themselves not as conspirators but as people who, after becoming aware of the alleged plan, attempted to discourage it.

Their accounts therefore raise questions about the boundaries between religious counselling, personal relationships, financial transactions and criminal conspiracy.

Those questions will ultimately have to be resolved through evidence tested in court.

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