By Opeyemi Adelakun
Fresh details emerging before the Federal High Court in Abuja have revealed how military officers and civilians allegedly assigned operational roles in a plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, with key national assets including the Presidential Villa, major airports and military installations identified as targets.
According to prosecution documents tendered before the court, investigators alleged that the suspects developed a coordinated strategy aimed at taking control of critical government institutions, disrupting military response capabilities and announcing a new government through a nationwide broadcast.
The prosecution said the alleged conspiracy relied on support from insiders within strategic institutions to facilitate access to sensitive locations during the planned operation.
Court filings identified one of the principal suspects, Usman, as the individual allegedly assigned to coordinate an assault on the Presidential Villa. Investigators claimed he had earlier carried out reconnaissance within the complex with the assistance of Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who was attached to the Presidential Clinic.
Evidence before the court also indicated that members of the group discussed shutting down electricity at the Presidential Villa to create confusion during the operation.
However, Zekeri Umoru, an electrician working with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the Villa’s maintenance unit, reportedly advised against the proposal, warning that a sudden power outage would immediately trigger security alerts and expose those involved.
Umoru further told investigators that the group intended to recruit up to 19 personnel from among workers at the Presidential Villa, military personnel and operatives of the State Security Service to support the operation. He added that after objections to the blackout proposal, the alleged leader suggested using armed force to gain access if internal assistance proved impossible.
The prosecution also alleged that Major Abdulkarim Ibrahim was initially assigned to secure the Armed Forces Headquarters before his role was changed to taking over Radio House in Abuja, where he would announce the change of government.
According to his statement, Lieutenant-Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah was originally designated to make the broadcast but was later reassigned to take control of the 102 Battalion in Zuma, Niger State.
Other assignments outlined in the prosecution’s documents included plans to isolate senior military commanders. Major Muhammad Jiddah was allegedly tasked with securing the residence of the Chief of Army Staff, while Major Daniel Yusuf was assigned responsibility for the residence of the Chief of Defence Staff.
The documents further alleged that Air Force officer S.B. Adamu was to take control of Air House, Captain Akinwale Yusuf was assigned to seize a military division headquarters in Lagos, while retired Colonel M.M. Adamu was expected to coordinate troop movements from the entrance of Niger Barracks in Abuja.
Investigators also claimed the alleged plot extended to disrupting aviation operations. The prosecution said the suspects planned to obstruct the Abuja airport runway with an armed gun truck to prevent aircraft movements and limit the government’s ability to deploy reinforcements.
In Lagos, Lieutenant Sunday Felix allegedly gathered intelligence on airport security based on his previous responsibilities managing traffic during visits by high-profile officials.
The prosecution further alleged that the group planned to mobilise troops, armoured vehicles and weapons from several military formations across the country.
Court documents named Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji as allegedly responsible for sourcing weapons from the 45 Special Forces Battalion in Bida, while Lieutenant-Colonel Ponfa Dangnap and Lieutenant-Colonel Abdulrahman Hayatu were said to have pledged troops, ammunition and gun trucks from their respective commands.
The filings also claimed that naval officer Bayawo Abdullahi agreed to provide 14 personnel and three operational Hilux vehicles.
Investigators told the court that disagreements later emerged among some of the alleged conspirators over how to deal with senior military leaders.
Major Ibrahim reportedly maintained that service chiefs should be arrested rather than killed, arguing that previous military takeovers succeeded by securing the cooperation of key commanders.
However, another suspect, Major A.D. Dauda, claimed Colonel Ma’aji insisted that the Chief of Defence Staff should either be killed or arrested to eliminate resistance. Dauda told investigators that the disagreement influenced his decision to distance himself from the group.
The allegations form part of the prosecution’s evidence in the ongoing treason trial before the Federal High Court. The court is expected to determine the credibility of the evidence as proceedings continue.
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