PRESIDENTIAL VILLA WORKER ADMITS INVOLVEMENT IN ALLEGED PLOT TO OVERTHROW TINUBU
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
One of the defendants standing trial over an alleged plot to violently overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu has admitted that his involvement in the matter began within the Presidential Villa in 2025.
The defendant, Zekeri Umoru, an employee in the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa working with Julius Berger Nigeria, made the disclosure in a recorded extra-judicial statement presented before the court.
Umoru, identified as the fourth accused person in the case, said he was introduced into the alleged plot by Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, an officer attached to the Presidential Clinic.
According to the statement, Umoru told investigators that his contact with individuals later identified as key figures in the alleged coup plot began in May 2025 after Inspector Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, also known as Colonel Mohammed “Ma’aji.”
He explained that Ibrahim initially told him the meeting was connected to electrical work at a building under construction, adding that he believed Ma’aji was a civilian businessman because money transfers he received carried the same name.
Umoru narrated that he received several cash payments from Ma’aji, sometimes in the presence of Inspector Ibrahim, while also hosting visits from Ma’aji and another associate, Usman, whom he later discovered were military personnel.
The defendant further stated that during one of their meetings at a location identified as “Tiger Bar,” Ma’aji allegedly shared between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 among him and his associates after buying drinks and discussing their professions.
He also recounted a major cash transaction that allegedly took place on September 24, 2025, when Ma’aji reportedly handed him a “Ghana Must Go” bag containing large sums of money.
According to Umoru, he deposited the cash at a Zenith Bank branch, where it was counted to be ₦8.8 million.
He added that the following day, he and Inspector Ibrahim met Ma’aji again and received an additional ₦2 million, with Ibrahim allegedly promising to provide further details later.
Umoru told investigators that he later became suspicious over the repeated flow of money and demanded an explanation from Inspector Ibrahim.
He claimed Ibrahim told him that Ma’aji was unhappy with the state of the country and intended to “sanitize the government” with the backing of unnamed associates described as “boys.”
The defendant further alleged that Ibrahim mentioned a plan involving an ambulance driver to gain access into the Presidential Villa, with promises of financial reward.
Despite the revelations, Umoru insisted in the recorded statement that he was unaware of any concrete coup plan and maintained that he never knowingly participated in any attempt to overthrow the government.
He also narrated an incident in which he escorted Usman into the Presidential Villa, stating that security officials at the gate did not question the visitor after he identified him as someone who came to see him.
Umoru said he later discovered Usman taking photographs within his office and immediately cautioned him against the act.
Throughout the interview, the defendant denied having prior knowledge of any coup plot, insisting that he had been misled by Inspector Ibrahim.
He further expressed regret over his actions, apologised to his employers, and reaffirmed his support for the administration of President Tinubu.
Meanwhile, the court also viewed a separate video statement involving Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni.
Goni, who denied involvement in the alleged coup plot, told investigators that he relocated to Karu in Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri.
The cleric stated that any funds he received from Colonel Ma’aji were strictly meant for prayers and charitable activities, including spiritual support following alleged delays in Ma’aji’s promotion.
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