The Federal Government on Monday presented video evidence before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to establish an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu through a coup d’état.
In the recordings tendered in court, some of the defendants standing trial were seen explaining their alleged roles to investigators. The defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026 include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, as well as Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Also mentioned in the charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation is former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, who reportedly served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is said to be at large after allegedly leaving the country before the plot was uncovered.
The defendants face multiple charges, including treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to alleged terrorist activities.
During the proceedings, the prosecution played a video clip in which two defendants—retired Navy Captain Victor and Inspector Ibrahim—appeared to acknowledge awareness of the alleged plot, while the first defendant, retired Major General Gana, denied any involvement.
Inspector Ibrahim was shown in the footage discussing reconnaissance activities around the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House, where he allegedly took photographs of key locations such as the President’s residence and surrounding terrain. He also referenced coded language, stating that terms like “fertiliser” and “farming” were used to describe funding and operational planning.
However, Ibrahim maintained that his actions were influenced by poor judgment and personal associations, insisting he did not believe the plot could succeed or gain access to the State House.
Defence counsel challenged the admissibility of the video evidence, arguing that the statements were not made voluntarily. The objection was overruled by trial judge Joyce Abdulmalik, who ruled that a trial-within-trial would be conducted to determine the voluntariness of the confessions.
The court subsequently adjourned proceedings until Tuesday for continuation of the case.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in September 2025 to wage war against the state in a bid to overawe the President—an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
They were also accused of having prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving a certain Colonel Ma’aji and others, yet failing to notify relevant authorities or take preventive measures.
Additional counts include alleged violations under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, with claims that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism within Nigeria.
All six defendants pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge upon their arraignment on April 22 and were remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services pending the outcome of the trial.
