Nollywood filmmaker and actor Stanley Amandi has been arrested in connection with an alleged plot by military officers to violently overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Premium Times reports that Amandi, a former chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was detained in September 2025. This marks the first time his alleged involvement in the foiled coup attempt has been publicly disclosed.
Investigators claim Amandi was allegedly recruited by the suspected plotters to serve as a propagandist as part of preparations for what security sources described as a planned violent takeover.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the conspirators intended to assassinate key government figures, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that the investigation revealed a plan to illegally remove the Tinubu administration from power. The military added that implicated officers would face trial before military judicial panels.
In a statement, the Defence Headquarters said the investigation was concluded and forwarded to the “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.” It added, “The comprehensive investigation, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel.”
The military further stated that its findings identified several officers allegedly involved in plotting to overthrow the government, calling such actions a violation of the ethics and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Last October, SaharaReporters reported that 16 military officers were under investigation for an alleged coup attempt. At that time, the army dismissed the claim, saying the officers were being investigated for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.” Subsequent investigations, however, led to the arrest of additional officers and civilians, including Amandi.
Sources say the suspects will face court-martial proceedings or civil trials, depending on their status. Serving officers will be tried in military tribunals, while civilians, such as the Nollywood actor, will be prosecuted in civil courts.
Amandi is a well-known figure in Nollywood, with credits as an actor, director, and production manager. His works include The Album (director), Tiger King (director and producer, 2008), Cornerstone (2019), and Once Upon a Dream (actor, 2024). His last Instagram post was on September 19, 2025, just days before his arrest.
