30 Witnesses Set to Testify Against Suspected Coup Plotters

The federal government has lined up 30 witnesses to testify against a retired army major general, a former navy captain, a police inspector, and three others on trial over an alleged plot to topple President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Last year, PREMIUM TIMES reported the names of over 40 officers and civilians linked to the plot. The government later filed 13 charges against the civilians and ex-military officers, while the active officers are facing a court-martial.

The charges include treason, terrorism financing, failure to disclose information, and money laundering. The prosecutor argued that these actions violated Nigerian laws.

The defendants are retired major general Mohammed Gana, retired navy captain Erasmus Victor, police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.

The list, found in the Proof of Evidence obtained by this newspaper and filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, shows that prosecutors will rely on investigators, senior military officers, bank officials, forensic experts, hotel representatives, and civilian witnesses to support the claims against the six defendants.

According to the charges filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the defendants allegedly worked with Mohammed Ma’aji, a colonel, and others who are still at large. They allegedly planned to wage war against Nigeria and illegally remove President Tinubu from power.

The prosecution also claimed that some defendants did not report what they knew about the coup plot, while others handled money related to the conspiracy.

The proof of evidence shows that the prosecution aims to use documents, financial records, forensic analysis of electronic devices, and witness testimonies to build its case.

Among the witnesses are investigating officers who handled the case, forensic experts who analyzed data from mobile phones taken during the investigation, officials from 13 banks expected to provide bank records, and representatives from three hotels where some of the alleged meetings reportedly occurred. Senior military officers are also expected to testify about the movement and storage of weapons.

Other civilian witnesses will provide evidence on financial transactions, vehicle purchases, and refurbishments connected to the prosecution's case.

FULL LIST OF PROSECUTION WITNESSES

Investigation officers

1. Investigation Officers, Officers who handled the investigation and collected documentary evidence.

Bank officials

1. Access Bank, Officials expected to provide account opening documents, account statements, and other banking records.

1. Union Bank, Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. Fidelity Bank, Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. Zenith Bank, Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. Providus Bank, Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. United Bank for Africa (UBA), Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. First Bank, Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. Ecobank, Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. Jaiz Bank, Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. SunTrust Bank, Officials expected to provide banking records.

1. Opay Digital Services Limited, Officials expected to provide banking records.

Forensic experts

1. Forensic Experts, Experts who extracted and analyzed mobile phones taken from the defendants.

Civilian witnesses

1. Aminu Abdullahi, Expected to testify about instructions allegedly received from Colonel Ma’aji and the handling of funds.

1. Abdulganiyu Ahmed, To testify about vehicles allegedly bought in relation to the case.

1. Moses Opata, To testify on contracts for refurbishing vehicles allegedly linked to the defendants.

1. Peter Gambo (Golf kit dealer), Expected to testify about selling golf kits to Squadron Leader Noel Zuzu.

Hotel representatives

1. Brookville Hotel & Suites, Abuja, Representatives expected to testify about hotel bookings and meetings allegedly organized by Mr. Ma’aji and others.

1. Greenland Luxury Apartments, Abuja, Representatives expected to testify about hotel bookings and meetings allegedly organized by Mr. Ma’aji and others.

1. Hotel 17, Kaduna, Representatives expected to testify about hotel bookings and meetings allegedly organized by Mr. Ma’aji and others.

Military witnesses

1. Captain Haruna, Officer Commanding, 81 Division Provost Company, expected to testify about a military Hilux vehicle supposedly kept in Military Police custody.

1. Corporal Bejide Kehinde, To testify about arms and ammunition allegedly signed out from the 130 Battalion armory in Maiduguri.

1. Colonel Y.B. Mohammed, To testify about arms and ammunition allegedly received for safekeeping at the 1 Division Garrison Armoury.

1. Brigadier General E. Agada, To testify that the 403 Amphibious Brigade did not request the return of arms and ammunition from the 130 Battalion.

1. Captain K.I. Eromosele, To testify that the 130 Battalion (Rear) did not request arms and ammunition from the 130 Battalion (Main).

The prosecution also informed the court that it may introduce more evidence and call additional witnesses as the trial goes on.