Coup trial: Presidential Villa worker denies knowledge of alleged plot

Zekari Umoru, a maintenance staff of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc stationed at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he was unaware of any alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, insisting he was misled by associates during the course of his interactions with them.

Umoru made the denial in video evidence played before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where he described how he was drawn into dealings with individuals now central to a treasonable felony case filed by the Federal Government against six defendants.

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The 4th defendant in the charge said his contact began in May 2025 through a colleague, Insp Ahmed Ibrahim, also attached to the Presidential Clinic, who introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, later alleged to be “Col. Mohammed Ma’aji.”

He told investigators he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian contractor offering electrical jobs, noting that he received multiple payments from him, some in the presence of Ibrahim.

Umoru further narrated several meetings, including at a location identified as “Tiger Bar,” where he and associates allegedly received cash gifts ranging between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 after social interactions.

According to the video evidence, a more significant transaction occurred on September 24, 2025, when Ma’aji allegedly delivered a bag containing cash later counted at ₦8.8 million at a Zenith Bank branch. He also disclosed receiving an additional ₦2 million the following day.

He, however, told investigators he became suspicious due to the nature of the transactions and later pressed Ibrahim for clarification, after which he was allegedly told that the funds were linked to plans to “sanitise the government.”

Umoru maintained he was never aware of any coup-related agenda and said he would have disengaged had he known the true identity or intentions of the individuals involved. He also denied knowingly participating in any plan to undermine national security, adding that he only acted on instructions he believed were tied to legitimate work engagements.

In a separate video evidence, Islamic cleric Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni also denied involvement in the alleged plot, stating that funds received from Ma’aji were strictly for prayers and charitable activities.

Goni, who said he relocated to Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Borno State, maintained that all financial support he received was linked to religious interventions, including requests for spiritual assistance over personal challenges.

However, investigators highlighted inconsistencies between his claims and financial records, including transactions dating back to 2023 and additional transfers reportedly running into millions of naira.

Prosecution counsel noted that several communications referenced in the videos suggested wider coordination, including discussions around access arrangements and logistics.

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Counsel to the 5th defendant, Michael Numa (SAN), told the court he had just received the video exhibits and requested time to review them.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to May 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for continuation of trial.

The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, had earlier arraigned the defendants on a 13-count charge bordering on treason, terrorism, money laundering and failure to disclose security intelligence.

The case also lists former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, as being at large.