A staff member of the Presidential Villa has admitted to being drawn into an alleged 2025 plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to proceedings before the court.
The defendant, Zekeri Umoru, who works in the maintenance department at the Presidential Villa under Julius Berger Nigeria, told investigators in a recorded extra judicial statement that his involvement began through an introduction by Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim of the Presidential Clinic.
Umoru explained that his interaction with individuals later linked to the alleged plot started in May 2025, when Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, later revealed to be Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji. He said the introduction was presented as an opportunity for electrical work at a construction site.
According to his statement, he initially believed Ma’aji to be a civilian businessman, particularly after receiving financial transfers in his name. He recounted several instances where he was given money by Ma’aji, sometimes in the presence of Ibrahim, as well as encounters with another associate identified as Usman, who he later discovered to be a military officer.
He told investigators that during a meeting at a location referred to as Tiger Bar, Ma’aji distributed between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 to him and others after buying drinks and making inquiries about their professions.
Umoru further described a larger transaction on September 24, 2025, when he received a bag of cash from Ma’aji. He said he deposited the money at a branch of Zenith Bank, where it was counted at ₦8.8 million. He added that the following day, he and Ibrahim received an additional ₦2 million, with assurances that further instructions would follow.
He stated that he later became uneasy about the repeated payments and sought clarification from Ibrahim, who allegedly said Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the state of the country and intended to “sanitize the government” with the help of unnamed associates.
Umoru also alleged that Ibrahim mentioned a plan involving an ambulance driver to facilitate access into the Presidential Villa, suggesting potential financial benefits.
Despite these claims, Umoru maintained that he was unaware of any concrete coup plan and insisted he never knowingly participated in such activities. He said he was misled and would have withdrawn had he known the true identities or intentions of those involved.
He also recounted escorting Usman into the Presidential Villa, noting that security personnel did not question the visit after he identified the individual as his guest. He later found Usman taking photographs within his office and cautioned him against doing so.
Umoru expressed regret in his statement, apologising to his employers and reaffirming his support for the current administration.
The court also reviewed a separate video statement from an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, who denied any connection to the alleged plot. Goni said funds he received from Ma’aji were strictly for prayers and charitable purposes, including requests for spiritual support related to promotion challenges.
However, investigators highlighted inconsistencies between his claims and financial records, pointing to transactions dating back to March 2023 and additional transfers amounting to millions of naira, including ₦10 million in October 2024.
Authorities noted that discussions captured in the recordings, including references to access and acquisition of “work tools,” raised concerns about a broader scheme, although both men denied knowledge of any coup attempt.
Following the presentation of the video evidence, defence counsel led by Senior Advocate Michael Numa requested additional time to review the materials.
Presiding judge Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case to May 11, 12 and 13 for continuation of trial.
