The Nigerian Army has confirmed in court proceedings in Abuja that there was indeed an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu through a coup attempt.
This was disclosed during testimony at the Federal High Court, where a soldier from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, whose identity was protected by court order, appeared as a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of six defendants accused of involvement in the alleged coup plot.
The defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, and three others. Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva was also mentioned in the case but is said to be at large after reportedly leaving the country.
The witness told the court that the investigation began after intelligence was received suggesting that a senior military officer and others were planning to overthrow the democratically elected government of President Tinubu.
He explained that the intelligence was verified as credible and led to coordinated investigations, arrests, and searches carried out by military operatives.
According to him, a mobile phone and a notebook recovered from one of the suspects contained alleged operational plans, names of targets, and details of individuals reportedly marked for attack during the planned takeover.
The court also heard that forensic analysis of the recovered phone revealed alleged communication links, financial transactions, and coded messages between the accused persons and other individuals connected to the case.
The witness further testified that investigators traced financial flows through a company allegedly used to fund the operation, with multiple large transactions flagged during the investigation.
Meetings were also allegedly held in different locations in Abuja, where discussions reportedly focused on regime change, coordination plans, and identification of key targets.
The prosecution said hotel receipts, financial records, and digital evidence were recovered and tendered in court to support the allegations.
The court admitted several pieces of evidence, including extracts from digital devices and financial documents, despite objections from defence counsel.
The judge also granted a request by the prosecution to shield the identities of some witnesses due to security concerns, given the sensitive nature of the case involving allegations of terrorism and treason.
The defendants face multiple charges, including treason, terrorism-related offences, conspiracy, money laundering, and failure to report a planned security threat. All have pleaded not guilty and remain in custody pending further hearing.
The case has been adjourned to May 4 and 5 for continuation of trial.
