Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu: 30 Witnesses To Testify Against Suspected Plotters

The Federal Government has lined up thirty prosecution witnesses to testify in the trial of six persons accused of plotting to unlawfully remove the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The case, it was reported, is before the Federal High Court in Abuja and involves a retired major general, a former navy captain, a police inspector and three other defendants charged in connection with an alleged coup plot.

The accused persons are retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Victor, Police Inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.

Court documents seen by Premium Times from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation show the government plans to tender evidence from investigators, military officers, forensic experts, bank officials, hotel representatives and other civilian witnesses at the trial.

The defendants face 13 counts including charges of treason, terrorism financing, money laundering and failure to disclose information relating to the alleged conspiracy.

The prosecution said the six defendants allegedly worked with Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji and other persons at large in a plan to remove President Tinubu from office.

The government said some defendants knew about the plot but did not report it, while others were involved in handling funds related to the alleged operation.

Prosecutors will present financial records, electronic evidence recovered from mobile phones, forensic reports and witness testimonies, documents submitted before the court show.

These include investigators who conducted the inquiry and who recovered documents pertaining to the case.

The government will also call forensic experts who examined mobile devices taken during the investigation.

Bank records are expected to be subpoenaed and officials from a number of financial institutions are expected to testify.

The banks listed are Access Bank, Union Bank, Fidelity Bank, Zenith Bank, Providus Bank, United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank, First Bank, Ecobank, Jaiz Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, SunTrust Bank and Opay Digital Services Limited.

The prosecution also intends to call civilian witnesses who are expected to testify about financial transactions, vehicle purchases and vehicle refurbishment projects that investigators believe are tied to the alleged conspiracy.

They include Aminu Abdullahi who is expected to testify on instructions allegedly received from Colonel Ma’aji and the movement of funds, Abdulganiyu Ahmed who will testify on vehicles allegedly purchased in connection with the case and Moses Opata who is expected to testify on contracts for vehicle repairs and refurbishment.

A second witness, Peter Gambo, a dealer in golf equipment, is expected to give evidence about the sale of golf kits to Squadron Leader Noel Zuzu.

Representatives of three hospitality outfits in Abuja and Kaduna are also expected to appear before the court.

Prosecutors believe the witnesses will shed light on hotel reservations and meetings allegedly related to the defendants.

Military officers have also been named as witnesses.

Their testimonies are likely to revolve around issues relating to military vehicles and arms and ammunition allegedly tied to the probe.

Those officers are Captain Haruna of 81 Division Provost Company, Corporal Bejide Kehinde, Colonel Y.B. Mohammed, Brigadier General E. Agada and Captain K.I. Eromosele.

The prosecution told the court it may call additional witnesses and introduce more evidence as the trial progresses.

Further materials could be filed in the course of proceedings, the government said.