By NJORIGE LYNUS

Inside the Alleged Coup Investigation: Testimony of a Retired Naval Officer Opens New Window Into the Search for Sponsors, Secret Communications & the Challenges of Preventing Political Conspiracies

Fresh testimony expands investigators’ understanding of an alleged conspiracy

NIGERIA’S ongoing prosecution of suspects linked to the alleged 2025 coup plot has entered another significant phase with the emergence of investigation records containing the account of retired naval captain and former local government chairman, Erasmus Victor. His statement, now forming part of the evidence being examined in court, provides investigators with another perspective on how the alleged conspiracy evolved, the methods allegedly adopted by its organisers, and the challenges security agencies continue to face in detecting clandestine political conspiracies before they mature.

Unlike previous disclosures that concentrated on alleged financiers, operational planning, movement of funds and assignments given to serving military officers, Mr. Victor’s statement shifts attention to another dimension of the investigation—the unsuccessful search for influential political sponsors, the internal doubts allegedly expressed by some participants, and the apparent gap between knowledge of an alleged conspiracy and the legal obligation to report it.

His account also raises broader questions about civil-military relations, the enduring sensitivity of coup allegations in Nigeria, and the continuing evolution of communication technologies that increasingly complicate intelligence gathering.

The statement forms part of investigation records connected to the prosecution of six defendants before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The allegations remain subject to judicial determination, while all defendants have pleaded not guilty.

An old military relationship that investigators say acquired a different character

According to investigation records, Mr. Victor traced his relationship with the alleged mastermind of the conspiracy, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, to their years at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He stated that while serving as Commanding Officer of the Burma Battalion at the academy, Mr. Ma’aji worked directly under him as his adjutant. Their professional relationship reportedly continued after both officers left the academy and remained active even after Mr. Victor retired from military service and later ventured into politics.

Investigators believe this longstanding relationship explains why communication between both men remained regular after Mr. Ma’aji allegedly began exploring plans to overthrow the civilian administration.

Mr. Victor, however, insisted throughout his statement that friendship did not translate into support for the alleged conspiracy.

Instead, he claimed he repeatedly advised Mr. Ma’aji against pursuing such ambitions.

Promotion disappointment emerges as an alleged turning point

One of the recurring themes in Mr. Victor’s statement concerns the alleged emotional impact of Mr. Ma’aji’s failure to secure promotion within the Nigerian Army around 2023.

According to him, the disappointment appeared profound.

He said he telephoned the officer to offer encouragement, explaining that many military careers experience setbacks and advising him to prepare for eventual retirement rather than become consumed by frustration.

Investigators recorded Mr. Victor as saying that the conversation took an unexpected turn.

Rather than accepting the advice, he alleged that Mr. Ma’aji declared his willingness to do “anything necessary,” even if it cost him his life.

Mr. Victor told investigators that he immediately interpreted the remark as a reference to overthrowing the government.

Whether that interpretation accurately reflected Mr. Ma’aji’s intentions remains one of several factual issues expected to be tested during trial.

Nevertheless, investigators considered the conversation significant because it allegedly marked one of the earliest discussions linking Mr. Ma’aji to coup planning.

The alleged search for powerful financiers

The investigation records indicate that financing became one of the central challenges confronting the alleged conspiracy.

According to Mr. Victor, Mr. Ma’aji repeatedly explained that any attempt to seize power would require substantial financial backing.

Investigators recorded that several influential personalities were allegedly mentioned as possible sponsors.

Among those reportedly discussed was Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.

Mr. Victor acknowledged knowing Mr. Wike personally through his previous service as Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area during Mr. Wike’s tenure as Governor of Rivers State.

However, he insisted he never approached the minister or any other individual mentioned by Mr. Ma’aji.

Instead, he claimed he consistently informed the colonel that every supposed sponsor had declined to participate.

His account portrays a situation in which the alleged mastermind struggled to secure political financiers despite persistent efforts.

Investigators have not publicly suggested that Mr. Wike or other personalities allegedly mentioned agreed to participate in or support the alleged conspiracy.

When suspicion shifted from coup planning to possible fraud

A particularly revealing aspect of Mr. Victor’s statement concerns his own uncertainty about whether Mr. Ma’aji genuinely intended to stage a coup.

According to investigators, he said he increasingly suspected that the officer might instead have been attempting to deceive wealthy individuals into contributing money for an operation that would never occur.

He described the possibility as resembling a financial scam.

His reasoning, according to the statement, was straightforward.

Anyone voluntarily contributing money to finance an illegal coup would be unable to report being defrauded if the organiser disappeared with the funds.

This suspicion, he claimed, reinforced his decision not to seek financiers despite repeatedly telling Mr. Ma’aji that he would make enquiries.

The statement therefore introduces an additional layer of complexity into investigators’ reconstruction of events, suggesting that even individuals allegedly close to the planning doubted whether the operation was practically achievable.

Encrypted communications & the growing challenge for intelligence agencies

Another significant feature of the investigation concerns the alleged reliance on encrypted communication platforms.

Mr. Victor admitted communicating with Mr. Ma’aji through Zangi, an encrypted messaging application.

According to him, the application was specifically recommended because it offered stronger privacy protections than ordinary telephone calls or conventional messaging platforms.

Investigators believe such applications complicate surveillance efforts by reducing opportunities for interception.

Although encrypted communication tools serve many legitimate purposes, their increasing use in criminal investigations worldwide has generated continuing debate among intelligence professionals over the balance between privacy rights and national security.

Mr. Victor insisted that his use of the application was limited to communication with Mr. Ma’aji and another officer allegedly connected to the investigation.

Nevertheless, investigators regarded the platform as an important component of the alleged conspiracy’s communication structure.

Conversations about government positions

The investigation also contains references to discussions concerning appointments in a hypothetical post-coup administration.

According to Mr. Victor, Mr. Ma’aji once asked him what position he would prefer if the operation succeeded.

Mr. Victor claimed he responded jokingly by reminding the colonel that he had previously promised to appoint him Chief of Staff to the President.

Instead, he alleged that Mr. Ma’aji replied that he would make him a minister.

Investigators regard such conversations as potentially relevant because they may indicate planning beyond the immediate objective of seizing power.

However, the defence may argue that casual conversations or jokes cannot by themselves establish criminal intent.

The evidential weight of these exchanges will ultimately be determined by the court.

The ₦2 billion budget & doubts about feasibility

Another important revelation concerns the alleged financial estimate for executing the operation.

Mr. Victor told investigators that Mr. Ma’aji estimated approximately ₦2 billion would be required.

He claimed he questioned whether such an operation could realistically succeed in an era dominated by modern communication technology, extensive surveillance capabilities and rapid intelligence sharing.

According to his account, he warned that the communication environment alone would likely expose the conspiracy before execution.

Investigators consider this statement important because it reflects internal scepticism regarding the practicality of the alleged plan.

It also illustrates how technological developments have fundamentally altered the strategic environment compared with earlier periods of military intervention in Nigerian politics.

Failure to report becomes a central legal issue

Perhaps the most consequential admission contained in Mr. Victor’s statement concerns his decision not to inform security agencies despite claiming to have known about the alleged conspiracy.

He acknowledged that he neither alerted serving military officers nor reported the matter through official channels.

Although he said he once attempted unsuccessfully to contact the then Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, investigators noted that no formal report was ever made.

He further admitted belonging to several military WhatsApp groups without informing fellow officers.

Eventually, he told investigators:

“I did not report the plans, and I am sorry.”

Whether that omission amounts to criminal liability forms part of the issues before the court.

The case therefore raises broader legal and ethical questions concerning the responsibilities of retired security personnel who become aware of alleged threats against constitutional order.

Broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic institutions

Beyond the immediate criminal proceedings, the investigation highlights enduring issues confronting Nigeria’s democracy.

Since the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999, constitutional governance has remained uninterrupted despite periodic rumours of coup plots.

Security agencies have repeatedly argued that early detection, intelligence coordination and institutional reforms have strengthened democratic resilience.

The investigation also illustrates how alleged conspiracies may extend beyond purely military circles to include financial networks, political contacts, communication technologies and civilian intermediaries.

For policymakers, the case underscores the continuing importance of intelligence-led policing, inter-agency cooperation and public awareness.

It also reinforces the need for secure reporting mechanisms that encourage individuals with credible information about threats to national security to notify appropriate authorities promptly.

Denials, legal safeguards & the presumption of innocence

Despite the detailed allegations contained in investigation records, the criminal proceedings remain ongoing.

Mr. Victor and the other defendants have pleaded not guilty.

They have challenged the admissibility of their interrogation statements and recorded interviews, arguing that the materials were obtained contrary to procedural safeguards provided under Nigerian law.

The prosecution has urged the court to admit the evidence.

The trial judge has yet to rule on those objections.

Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, whom investigators previously described as the alleged principal financier of the plot, has consistently denied any involvement.

Through his spokesperson, he has maintained that he remains committed to democratic governance and dismissed the allegations as false.

Meanwhile, separate legal proceedings involving individuals allegedly connected to him continue before the courts.

As judicial hearings progress, the allegations contained in investigation records remain unproven until tested through evidence, cross-examination and final judicial determination.

An investigation that continues to evolve

Each new disclosure emerging from Nigeria’s alleged 2025 coup investigation has gradually expanded public understanding of what investigators believe occurred before the conspiracy was disrupted.

Mr. Victor’s statement introduces another layer to that evolving narrative.

Rather than describing battlefield preparations or financial transfers alone, it focuses on conversations, persuasion, hesitation, encrypted communications, failed recruitment efforts and decisions not to report alleged knowledge of the plan.

Collectively, these details paint a more nuanced picture of how investigators believe the conspiracy developed and the obstacles it allegedly encountered long before security agencies intervened.

Whether the prosecution ultimately establishes its case beyond reasonable doubt remains a matter for the courts.

Until then, the investigation continues to illuminate the complex intersection of military networks, political relationships, financial mobilisation and democratic resilience, while reaffirming that allegations contained in investigative records acquire legal certainty only after judicial scrutiny and final judgement.

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