By Our Correspondent
A prosecution witness on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that investigations uncovered financial links between former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, and suspected coup plotters.
The witness, a soldier with the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP), testified as the fourth prosecution witness under protection, identified as “AAA.” He gave evidence while being led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is not listed as a defendant in the case but is said to be at large.
The Federal Government had filed a 13-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026 against six defendants: retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani. They are facing charges bordering on treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorism financing. The defendants, arraigned on April 22, pleaded not guilty to all counts.
In his testimony, the witness said the investigation commenced after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.O. Oluyede, received intelligence alleging that Colonel M.A. Ma’aji and others were plotting to overthrow the democratically elected government of President Bola Tinubu. He said the intelligence was analysed and deemed credible, prompting a directive for a full-scale investigation.
According to the witness, Col. Ma’aji was arrested, and items recovered from his residence included a Samsung Galaxy phone and a jotter containing operational plans, names of top government officials, and designated targets for assassination. He added that the jotter also detailed proposed political and structural changes to be implemented after the coup.
The court heard that forensic analysis of the phone revealed extensive communication and financial links among Col. Ma’aji, some defendants, and Sylva. The witness said investigators traced monetary transactions tied to the alleged plot, noting that funds were disbursed to certain individuals to facilitate the operation.
He further disclosed that a company identified as Purple Wave was allegedly used as a conduit to finance the plot. Financial records obtained from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) showed multiple high-value debit transactions between September and October 2025, including sums of N100 million, N50 million, N80 million, N70 million, and N90 million on various dates.
Despite transaction narrations suggesting legitimate purposes, the witness said investigations revealed the funds were diverted to support the coup plot. He cited one instance where N100 million was recorded as payment for coastal corridor debris clearing but was allegedly used for other purposes.
The witness also told the court that several meetings were held in Abuja at locations such as Green Land Apartment and BrookVille Hotel, where anti-government discussions reportedly took place. He said the alleged plotters agreed on the need for regime change and outlined strategies for executing the coup, including identifying key government targets, attacking military installations, and taking control of major roads.
He added that the suspects assigned roles among themselves, planned new governmental structures, and engaged in consultations, including spiritual divination. Some defendants, he said, received funds for these activities and procured vehicles later recovered from workshops where they were being modified for operational use.
During proceedings, the prosecution tendered documentary evidence, including hotel payment receipts and extracts from Col. Ma’aji’s phone, which were admitted by the court despite objections from defence counsel, who reserved their arguments for the final address stage.
The court also heard that the defendants made voluntary written statements before an investigative panel and the Military Police, with sessions recorded audiovisually. However, controversy arose when the prosecution sought to tender a flash drive containing the recordings. Defence counsel objected on the grounds that the material had not been previously disclosed. The court ruled that the prosecution must first serve the defence with the recordings before they could be admitted.
Earlier, the prosecution called three bank officials from Jaiz Bank, SunTrust Bank, and Providus Bank, who tendered account statements linked to the defendants and associated entities. The witnesses were cross-examined by defence lawyers.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until May 4 and May 5 for continuation of the fourth prosecution witness’s testimony. (NAN)
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