A staff member of the Presidential Villa has admitted to having contact with individuals accused of plotting to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as details of the alleged 2025 coup bid continue to emerge in court.
The accused, Zekeri Umoru, an employee in the maintenance department working with Julius Berger Nigeria, made the admission in a recorded extra-judicial statement presented before the court.
Umoru, who is the fourth defendant in the trial, said he was introduced to the alleged plot by Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, a police officer attached to the Presidential Clinic.
According to his statement, the chain of events began in May 2025 when Ibrahim linked him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, also known as Colonel Mohammed “Ma’aji.” Umoru said he initially believed Ma’aji to be a civilian businessman offering him electrical work at a construction site.
He, however, recounted receiving multiple cash payments from Ma’aji, sometimes in the presence of Inspector Ibrahim. The meetings reportedly took place at different locations, including a spot identified as “Tiger Bar,” where sums ranging between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 were allegedly shared among attendees.
A major transaction occurred on September 24, 2025, when Umoru claimed he was handed a “Ghana Must Go” bag filled with cash. He said he later deposited the money at a branch of Zenith Bank, where it was counted to be ₦8.8 million.
He further told investigators that an additional ₦2 million was given the following day, with assurances that further instructions would be communicated through Inspector Ibrahim.
Umoru stated that he later became uneasy over the steady flow of money and demanded clarification. According to him, Ibrahim revealed that Ma’aji was unhappy with the state of the country and was allegedly planning to “sanitize the government” with the backing of unnamed associates.
He also alleged that a plan was discussed involving the use of an ambulance driver to gain access into the Presidential Villa.
Despite these claims, Umoru maintained that he had no knowledge of any concrete coup plan and insisted he was misled.
He recounted an incident where he escorted one of Ma’aji’s associates, identified as Usman, into the Presidential Villa without being questioned by security personnel. He said he later warned the individual after discovering he was taking photographs within his office.
Throughout his testimony, Umoru denied knowingly participating in any plot to overthrow the government, expressing regret and apologising to his employers while affirming his loyalty to President Tinubu’s administration.
In a related development, the court also reviewed a separate video statement from Islamic cleric Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, who denied involvement in the alleged plot.
Goni told investigators that any funds he received from Ma’aji were strictly for prayers and charitable activities, including spiritual support tied to personal matters.
The trial continues as authorities seek to unravel the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.
