By Danjuma Amodu
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, 4 May, heard video footage of interviews conducted by investigators with three of the six men facing charges over an alleged plot to subvert the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In the recordings played in open court, two of the defendants — retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, the second and third defendants — admitted to having knowledge of the coup plot, while retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana denied any knowledge of it, reports The Nation.
The video recordings are stored on a hard disc tendered by the prosecution. However, counsel for the defendants objected to their admissibility, arguing that their clients did not make the statements voluntarily. The defence also opposed playing the recordings in open court before they had been admitted in evidence.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik overruled the objections and ordered the tapes to be played, stating that it was the customary practice. She noted the defence’s objections and said a trial-within-trial would be held to determine the voluntariness or otherwise of the statements.
The first interview session presented was that of Major General Gana, who said he retired from the Nigerian Army in 2010 as Chief of Defence Logistics and had lived a quiet life since then. Gana, who said he had never been involved in any act of indiscipline or criminality, told investigators he knew the suspected mastermind of the operation, Colonel M. A. Ma’aji.
He said he knew Ma’aji had issues with his promotion but was not aware that he was planning a coup, adding that he would have reported it if he had known. The retired Major General said he was initially linked to the alleged plot over a two million naira transfer which investigators traced to him.
He also admitted to sharing a copy of the coup speech read by Joshua Dongayaro during a previous coup in the country via WhatsApp. He further admitted to exchanging certain messages containing anti-government rhetoric through the same medium, but said he merely forwarded content he had received and did not alter or create it.
Gana said he did not know when investigators told him that the coup speech recovered from Colonel Ma’aji was adapted from the speech he shared. He denied reports of conducting surveillance at the Presidential Villa, participating in fundraising efforts, or seeking billions from a former governor.
Retired Captain Victor admitted that he knew Ma’aji and was aware of the plot to overthrow the government but did not report it to any security agency because of his relationship with him. He added that Ma’aji had complained about his promotion being stalled and “out of anger he said he wants to overthrow the system.”
Victor said he cautioned against the act and advised the officer to consider retirement. He confessed in the video that he was approached to provide financial support, help raise funds for the plot, or assist in securing an apartment, with a promise of an appointment if the coup succeeded.
The retired Navy Captain said he declined to take part in the plot. He acknowledged that he maintained communication on a secure messaging platform and that coded language was used during the discussions. He told the court he was not involved in any operational planning and never assisted Ma’aji as requested.
Victor said his relationship with Ma’aji clouded his judgment, adding that if there had been no relationship between them, he would have reported to a security agency like the Navy, which is his constituency. He said he wished he had reported the plot.
A remorseful Victor said he was sorry he did not report the conspiracy to the appropriate authorities and pleaded for leniency. “I feel really bad to be in this position,” he said, describing his situation as being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“I am begging for compassion. The Almighty God himself said he was sorry that he created man, yet continues to show mercy to man. If the government can grant amnesty to terrorists and bandits who are killing innocent people, call them repentant and reintegrate them into society, I should also be forgiven because I served the country meritoriously in the Navy,” he said.
Police Inspector Ibrahim, attached to the State House, told investigators that he was first asked to help facilitate Colonel Ma’aji’s promotion through contacts within government circles. Ibrahim later said his conversations with Ma’aji shifted from promotion issues to suspected moves to overthrow the government.
He admitted to receiving between N1.4 million and N1.5 million and conducting surveillance around the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House. He said he took photographs of parts of the presidential residence, including the president’s quarters and the surrounding landscape, and discussed various ways of gaining entry.
The inspector further revealed that coded terms such as “fertiliser” and “farming” were used during discussions in reference to funds and the alleged plot. He said it was poor judgment on his part that led him to participate, based on his association with the main suspect.
Ibrahim said he only pretended to go along with the alleged plotters because he knew they had no way of gaining access to the State House.
At the beginning of each interview session, the investigator informed the defendant of the reason for the audio-visual recording, stating that it was in line with the requirements of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act [ACJA]. The investigators added that the recording was to ensure that statements by each accused were made voluntarily and not under duress, torture, or promise of any advantage. They were also informed of their right to remain silent if they chose not to speak.
Further hearing continues today, Tuesday, at 11am.
