Court hears alleged coup plot involving military officers, civilians
Timipre Sylva named in financial and operational links
Witness claims “structural plans for regime change” uncovered by investigators
An anonymous military witness has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that investigators uncovered an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, with financial and operational links connecting several suspects, including former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva.
The witness, an officer of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, gave evidence under protective cover before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik during the ongoing trial of a retired major-general and five others facing charges of treason, terrorism and money laundering.
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According to the officer, intelligence reports received by the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, pointed to a serving officer, Col. Mohammed Maaji, as the alleged coordinator of the plot alongside military personnel and civilians.
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“Upon receipt of the intelligence report, it was analysed, processed and found to be credible, and the Chief of Army Staff directed our team to investigate the allegations,” the witness told the court.
He said Maaji was later arrested, with investigators recovering electronic devices, including a Samsung Galaxy phone and a jotter said to contain operational plans.
“Inside the jotter, we found operational plans, names and designation of ranking members of the current regime as well as officers that were to be assassinated,” the officer testified.
The witness added that forensic analysis of the recovered phone allegedly revealed communications linking Maaji to some of the defendants and other individuals already standing trial.
He further told the court that investigators uncovered what he described as “post-coup arrangements”, including lists of targets and proposed structural changes to government institutions.
Financial investigations, he said, also revealed alleged monetary transactions connecting Maaji, some defendants and Sylva through a company identified as Purple Waves Limited.
“We found financial trails between Col Maaji, Mr Sylva and some of the defendants,” he stated, adding that bank records showed multiple transactions running into hundreds of millions of naira between September and October 2025.
The officer also claimed that meetings linked to the alleged plot took place at locations in Abuja, including Green Land Apartment and Brookville Hotel, where discussions on “regime change” and assignment of roles were said to have occurred.
During proceedings, defence counsel challenged aspects of the testimony, urging the court to restrain the witness from making definitive claims about a coup plot, arguing that such allegations remain unproven.
However, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that such objections should be addressed during cross-examination or final arguments, allowing the trial to proceed.
The case was subsequently adjourned to May 4 for continuation of hearing.
