The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted statements and video recordings tendered by the Federal Government against six persons standing trial over an alleged conspiracy to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration through a military coup.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, marks a significant development in the high-profile treason trial involving allegations of plans to infiltrate the Presidential Villa, disrupt its electricity supply and recruit security personnel to facilitate an unconstitutional change of government.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the disputed evidence after rejecting arguments by defence lawyers that the statements were obtained through intimidation, torture and other forms of coercion.
Those facing trial include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Islamic cleric Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani.
The defendants are standing trial on a 13-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, bordering on alleged treason, terrorism-related offences, failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering connected to alleged terrorist activities.
All six defendants pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned on April 22, 2026, and were subsequently remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services.
The controversy over the evidence arose when prosecution lawyers sought to tender statements allegedly made by the defendants before a Special Investigation Panel and military police authorities.
Defence counsel objected, arguing that the statements were not voluntarily obtained and that their clients had been denied access to legal representation during interrogation.
They also alleged inconsistencies between the written statements and accompanying video recordings, insisting that the materials should not be admitted as evidence.
Following the objections, Justice Abdulmalik ordered a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were made voluntarily, in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Delivering her ruling, the judge held that the defendants had failed to substantiate their allegations of coercion.
The court consequently dismissed their claims of torture and admitted both the written statements and video recordings as evidence.
However, the ruling concerns the admissibility of the materials and does not amount to a determination that the defendants are guilty of the charges.
One of the major revelations in the proceedings concerned an alleged plan to interrupt electricity supply to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to a video recording played in open court on May 20, the fourth defendant, Zekeri Umoru, disclosed that discussions had taken place about switching off electricity to the seat of government as part of the alleged coup plot.
Umoru, an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc attached to the Presidential Villa’s Maintenance Department, reportedly told investigators that he warned those involved that such an operation could immediately trigger security investigations and lead to the arrest of workers on duty.
He alleged that Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, identified by prosecutors as a key figure in the purported conspiracy, offered him money through Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim to recruit between 18 and 19 persons working within the Presidential Villa.
Those allegedly targeted for recruitment included military personnel, Department of State Services operatives and Julius Berger employees.
Umoru further claimed that Ma’aji intended to gain access to the Presidential Villa by force if efforts to secure cooperation from insiders failed.
The allegations form part of the prosecution’s case and remain subject to examination during the trial.
Another defendant, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based Islamic cleric, reportedly told investigators that he was informed about the alleged plot and approached to offer prayers to prevent information about it from becoming public.
In a separate video recording previously presented to the court, the cleric claimed that he warned those involved that their plan would fail and eventually be exposed.
Prosecutors allege that some defendants had prior knowledge of the purported coup but failed to report the information to appropriate authorities or take reasonable steps to prevent its execution.
The Federal Government maintains that the alleged conspiracy was developed around September 2025, with the intention of levying war against the Nigerian state and intimidating President Tinubu.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly rendered assistance to those involved in the plot by withholding information that could have enabled security agencies to prevent the purported operation.
Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was also mentioned in the charges filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Prosecutors alleged that Sylva fled Nigeria before the purported plot was uncovered and remains at large.
His inclusion in the prosecution’s account does not establish his guilt or prove his involvement in the alleged conspiracy.
The charges against the six defendants include offences under the Criminal Code and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Federal Government has also tendered financial records through three bank officials, including documents associated with investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Owing to the sensitive nature of the proceedings, the court earlier authorised measures to protect the identities of witnesses from the Nigerian Army.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until December 7 and 10, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
