Two defendants including a retired navy captain, Erasmus Victor, and Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector, have acknowledged being aware of an alleged coup plot targeting President Bola Tinubu.
The pair made the admissions in video-recorded interviews conducted by investigators, according to Naija News.
The recordings were presented and played before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
In contrast, the third defendant, Mohammed Gana, a retired major-general, denied having any knowledge of the alleged plan.
The video evidence was submitted by the prosecution through a hard drive tendered in court.
Lawyers representing the defendants opposed the admissibility of the recordings, arguing that the statements were not made voluntarily.
They also objected to the playback of the videos in open court, citing that the evidence had not yet been formally admitted.
However, the presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, dismissed the objections and ordered that the recordings be played in court.
Abdulmalik stated that the objections had been noted and indicated that a trial-within-a-trial would be conducted to determine whether the statements were made voluntarily.
During his interview, Gana said he retired from the Nigerian Army in 2010 as chief of defence logistics and had since led a quiet life.
He acknowledged knowing the alleged mastermind, M.A. Ma’aji, a colonel, but maintained he was unaware of any plot to overthrow the government.
“If I knew about any coup plan, I would have reported it,” he said.
Gana explained that his name surfaced during the investigation due to a ₦2 million transfer linked to him.
He also admitted to sharing via WhatsApp a coup speech delivered by Joshua Dongayaro during a previous military takeover, along with messages containing anti-government rhetoric.
However, he insisted that he only forwarded the materials and did not originate them.
Gana denied carrying out surveillance at the Presidential Villa or taking part in any financial arrangements connected to the alleged plot.
Victor, the second defendant, admitted being aware of discussions about removing the government but said he discouraged the idea. He noted that Ma’aji was aggrieved over a delayed promotion.
“Out of anger, he said he wants to overthrow the system. I told him to forget about it and consider retirement,” he said.
Victor stated that he was approached to provide funding and assist in securing accommodation for those involved, with a promise of a political appointment if the plan succeeded.
He said he declined participation but continued communicating with the principal suspect through a secure messaging platform using coded language.
“My relationship with him clouded my thoughts. If not, I would have reported to the appropriate authorities,” he said.
He expressed remorse for not reporting the matter.
“I feel so bad that I find myself in this situation,” he said, appealing for leniency.
Ibrahim, a police inspector attached to the State House, said he was initially contacted to help facilitate Ma’aji’s promotion.
He explained that their discussions later evolved into conversations about an alleged plan to overthrow the government.
Ibrahim admitted receiving between ₦1.4 million and ₦1.5 million and carrying out reconnaissance around the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House.
He said he took photographs of parts of the complex and discussed possible access routes.
He also confirmed that coded terms such as “fertiliser” and “farming” were used to describe funding and the alleged operation.
However, he maintained that he did not take the plan seriously.
“I played along because I knew it would be impossible for them to access the State House,” he said.
According to the prosecution, investigators informed the defendants at the beginning of each session that the interviews were being recorded in compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
They were also advised of their right to remain silent and told that the recordings were intended to ensure that statements were made voluntarily.
The case was adjourned until Tuesday at 11 a.m. for continuation of proceedings.
