Coup Plotting Trial Witness Denies Knowledge of Conspiracy
Zekeli Umolu, the fourth defendant in a high-profile coup plotting trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, vehemently denied any knowledge of an alleged plan by President Bola Tinubu to overthrow the government. Testifying in court, Umolu claimed he had been “misled,” as a recorded statement was played during the proceedings.
Umolu, who works for Nigeria’s Julius Berger in the presidential villa’s maintenance department, made his assertions during a video recording presented as part of the prosecution’s evidence against six defendants charged with conspiracy.
The trial commenced on a somber note, following a report from the defense attorney regarding the sudden death of his colleague, Professor Kamla, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident after the previous day’s session.
Judge Joyce Abdulmalik observed a moment of silence in respect of the deceased before proceeding with the trial. In the video shown in court, Umolu recounted that his introduction to the individuals at the center of the conspiracy stemmed from Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim of the Presidential Clinic, the trial’s third defendant.
Umolu stated that he was introduced to Hassan Mohamed, later identified as Colonel Mohamed Maazi, under the impression that Maazi was merely a businessman interested in electrical work for a construction project. The defendant described how he allegedly received various cash payments from Maazi during meetings that included Inspector Ibrahim and another associate named Usman.
During a gathering at Tiger bar, Umolu claimed that Maazi distributed between £100,000 and £120,000 to him and his associates after buying drinks and inquiring about their jobs. On September 24, 2025, Umolu stated that Maazi handed him a “Ghana Must Go” bag filled with cash, amounting to N8.8 million, which he later deposited at a Zenith Bank branch. An additional N2 million was allegedly given the following day during another meeting with Inspector Ibrahim.
Feeling uncomfortable with the ongoing cash transactions, Umolu confronted Ibrahim for clarification. He alleged that Ibrahim revealed Maazi’s dissatisfaction with the country’s state and his intention to “cleanse the government” with support from unidentified associates referred to as “the boys.”
Despite these alarming claims, Umolu consistently denied any involvement in the coup plot. He expressed regret over his associations, stating that he would have distanced himself from Maazi had he known about the latter’s military background or ulterior motives beyond business. Additionally, he acknowledged accompanying Usman to the presidential villa, where security allowed entry based on Usman’s declaration of his intent to visit Umolu.
During the session, the court also viewed a video featuring Islamic cleric Sheikh Imam Qassim Goni, who similarly dismissed any involvement in the purported coup. Goni insisted that funds received from Maazi were intended solely for “prayer and charity purposes,” though financial records indicate substantial transfers amounting to millions of naira, including a significant transfer of 10 million naira in October 2024, raising doubts about his account.
Prosecutors highlighted discussions in the video that suggested a wider conspiracy, mentioning intentions to gain access and acquire “work tools.” Both men denied any knowledge of a coup plot. Following the video presentation, the sixth defendant’s attorney, Senior Advocate Michael Numa, requested additional time to review his client’s video exhibit, prompting discussions about further adjournment of the case. However, Public Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) urged the court to adhere to its prior commitment to expedite the trial.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently scheduled the next hearing for May 11, 12, and 13 to continue the trial. Earlier, the court had viewed another video where additional defendants admitted to participating in encrypted communications and reconnaissance around the presidential palace but denied involvement in any specific plans to overthrow the government, according to reports from PUNCH.
