Coup Plot Trial: Army Witness Testifies, Links Timipre Sylva to Tinubu Overthrow Scheme

A Nigerian Army officer gave detailed testimony in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, laying out how investigators uncovered the alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu — and linking former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva to the conspiracy.

The witness, whose identity the court shielded under Section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act on security grounds, told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that intelligence received by the then Chief of Army Staff Olufemi Oluyede — now Chief of Defence Staff — showed that a serving officer, Colonel Mohammed Maaji, was allegedly coordinating a coup plot with both military personnel and civilians, including Sylva.

Six Defendants, 13 Counts

The defendants in the dock are a retired major-general, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; a retired navy captain, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; a police inspector, Ahmed Ibrahim; Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric. They were arraigned on April 22 and all pleaded not guilty to 13 counts bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering.

Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo called four witnesses on Wednesday. Three were bank officials from Jaiz Bank, SunTrust Bank, and Providus Bank, who tendered EFCC correspondence and account documents that were admitted in evidence. The fourth was the Army officer who testified under protective cover.

Sylva’s Role Under the Microscope

The testimony linking Sylva is significant. Sylva is a former minister and longtime PDP figure who has been in the political spotlight for years. His alleged connection to a plot against Tinubu — if proven — would be one of the most dramatic political-security developments in recent Nigerian history.

The court has ordered accelerated hearing, and Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the trial must proceed before any bail consideration. Three bankers have now testified; the Army’s intelligence testimony adds a military dimension to what prosecutors are trying to establish.

The trial resumes with further witnesses. Whether the prosecution can build a case solid enough to sustain 13 counts against six defendants — including one with deep political connections — will be watched closely.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard, Premium Times