By Paul Joseph
Nollywood filmmaker and actor Stanley Amandi has been arrested along with military officers accused of plotting a violent coup against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to Politics Nigeria. Amandi, who is a director and former chairperson of the Enugu State Chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was taken into custody in September 2025.
This marks the first public acknowledgment of his alleged involvement in the coup attempt.
Reports indicate that Amandi was recruited by the conspirators to act as a propagandist in their plan to assassinate high-ranking government officials last year.
The military officers allegedly intended to carry out a violent takeover, targeting key officials for elimination.
Sources within the government revealed that the plotters aimed to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, among others.
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the existence of the conspiracy to unlawfully remove the Tinubu administration, stating that the implicated officers will face military judicial panels.
The Defence Headquarters announced that the investigation has concluded and has been submitted to the appropriate authorities as per existing regulations.
They described the investigation as thorough and compliant with established procedures, reviewing all aspects of the involved personnel’s actions.
The military revealed that the findings implicated several officers in the alleged coup plot, characterizing their behavior as inconsistent with the ethical standards expected of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Last October, it was reported that 16 officers were under investigation for a coup attempt, although the military claimed they were being looked into for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
Additional arrests of both military personnel and civilians have since occurred in connection with the case.
Sources close to the investigation indicated that the suspects, including senior military officials, are likely to face trials in both civil courts and military courts-martial as the inquiry progresses.
Military personnel among the suspects will first undergo court-martials before any civil proceedings, while civilians implicated in the alleged conspiracy, including Amandi, will be tried in civil courts.
Amandi has appeared in numerous Nollywood films and is recognized for his roles as an actor, production manager, and director. His notable works include directing “The Album,” co-directing and producing “Tiger King” in 2008, producing “Cornerstone” in 2019, and acting in “Once Upon a Dream” in 2024. His last post on Instagram was made on September 19, 2025, just prior to his arrest.
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