Zekari Umoru, one of the six defendants currently standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has told the court that he was misled into getting involved in the matter.
Umoru, who works with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and is attached to the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa, made the claim in a video of his extra-judicial statement played on Tuesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In the recording, he said his contact with some of the accused persons began in May 2025 through Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector stationed at the Presidential Clinic and listed as the third defendant in the case.
According to him, Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, later said to be known as “Col. Mohammed Ma’aji,” who allegedly claimed he could help him secure electrical jobs at a construction site.
Umoru told investigators he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian businessman, especially since money sent to him came through accounts bearing the name Hassan Mohammed.
He said things escalated when Ma’aji began giving him money on several occasions, sometimes in the presence of Ibrahim.
He also recounted meetings at a location identified as “Tiger Bar,” where Ma’aji allegedly bought drinks, asked about their backgrounds, and handed out between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 to those present.
Umoru further claimed that on September 24, 2025, Ma’aji gave him a “Ghana-Must-Go” bag filled with cash, which he deposited at a Zenith Bank branch. He said the money was counted and confirmed to be ₦8.8 million.
He added that the following day, another ₦2 million was delivered, with Ibrahim expected to later explain its purpose.
However, Umoru said he began to suspect the nature of the transactions and confronted Ibrahim, who allegedly told him Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the state of the country and intended to “sanitise the government” with the help of unnamed associates.
He also alleged that discussions were made about using an ambulance driver to gain access to the Presidential Villa in exchange for financial rewards.
Despite all the allegations, Umoru insisted he had no knowledge of any coup plan and maintained that he was deceived.
He told the court that he would have cut ties immediately if he had known Ma’aji was a military officer or involved in any attempt to destabilise the government.
Umoru also expressed regret over his involvement, apologised to his employers, and stated his support for the Tinubu administration.
The Federal Government is prosecuting the six defendants under charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026 over the alleged coup plot. The case is being handled by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the defendants were arraigned on 13 counts on April 22.
