Details Emerge on Vehicle Purchases by Coup Suspect

A car dealer in Abuja told investigators that an Army officer linked to the alleged 2025 coup plan bought six vehicles worth N65 million in September last year. Investigators think this was the peak time for the suspected conspirators to prepare for their operation.

The vehicles included three Toyota Hilux trucks and a Toyota Prado SUV, according to investigation records obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.

Ahmed Abdulganiyu, the Chief Executive Officer of Arun G Motors in Lokogoma, Abuja, shared this information in a statement he made during questioning by military investigators looking into the alleged plot.

This statement is part of the evidence submitted by prosecutors in the ongoing trials of suspects linked to the alleged attempt to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Investigations started after the alleged plot came to light in September last year. They focused on many active and retired military officers, police, and civilians believed to have had different roles in the alleged conspiracy.

The investigations showed how members of the alleged coup group were given tasks like surveillance, logistics, propaganda, funding, and procurement.

Mohammed Ma’aji, a 50-year-old colonel from Niger State, is identified as a key figure in the alleged plot. Investigators believe Mr. Ma’aji, who works for the Defence Space Administration, presented the plan to former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, who allegedly provided most of the funds for the plot.

The federal government is prosecuting six people, including retired military officers, in the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged coup. Several active military officers are also facing trial before the General Court Martial.

The accused have denied any wrongdoing.

PREMIUM TIMES reviewed the statements made by the suspects and many other documents, totaling over 7,400 pages, gathered during the investigation and presented in support of the ongoing charges.

In his statement, Mr. Abdulganiyu said the vehicle purchase started with what seemed like a normal request for a Toyota Corolla.

He said the deal began in late September 2025 when a man called Mr. Aliyu, who claimed to be acting for his boss, asked for the car. "On 26 September 2025, I was called by one Mr. Aliyu that his boss needs a Toyota Corolla," Mr. Abdulganiyu stated.

Later that day, Mr. Aliyu arrived at Arun G Motors with Mr. Ma’aji. Abdulganiyu noted that the dealership did not have the exact cars they wanted, so he went with them to other dealerships to find them.

He told investigators that they visited different car lots in Abuja and eventually found the vehicles they needed. "We went around and we were able to get those cars. The cars are two Toyota Corolla, one Toyota Prado, and three Toyota Hilux," he said.

On the next day, 27 September 2025, Mr. Abdulganiyu said N46.5 million was transferred to his Access Bank account as part of the payment. He mentioned that another payment followed the next day.

Mr. Abdulganiyu provided the Access Bank details of his associate, Christopher Elube, to Colonel Ma’aji. He informed investigators that N18.5 million was also transferred into that account.

In total, the two transfers amounted to N65 million. Abdulganiyu said shortly after the second payment, an unknown man came to pick up most of the cars. "Immediately he made a transfer of N18,500,000 [N18.5 million], a man came and took three Toyota Hilux and one Prado and left two Corollas behind," he stated.

He noted that the two Toyota Corolla cars stayed at his dealership long after the others were taken. "Up till now they have not come to carry the Corollas," he told investigators. The statement does not say why the vehicles were left behind.

It could not be confirmed if the vehicles were meant for the alleged coup, but the payment dates mentioned by the dealer were during a time when funds were being distributed to people linked to the plot.

The BDC operator engaged to handle the funds for the alleged plot listed the N46.5 million and N18.5 million payments as part of the transfers he was told to do. The dates matched those given by the BDC operator.

Investigators asked Mr. Abdulganiyu about other financial transactions related to the vehicle purchase. He revealed that he later sent N700,000 to Mr. Aliyu after getting the go-ahead.

According to his statement, Colonel Ma’aji also sent him an extra N300,000 for installing compressed natural gas (CNG) on one of the Toyota Corolla vehicles. Mr. Abdulganiyu told investigators that he had receipts for all the payments.

Months later, he faced questions about the transactions after security agencies started looking into the alleged coup. Mr. Abdulganiyu said an officer known as Lieutenant Colonel John visited his dealership and told him that the vehicles were now part of an investigation.

"Lieutenant Colonel John came to my shop and introduced himself. He informed me that there’s an investigation going on about the car," Mr. Abdulganiyu said.

Both military officers and civilians, including retired military personnel facing charges from the alleged plot, have maintained their innocence by pleading not guilty to the charges.

Those being tried in the Federal High Court in Abuja have denied the 13 charges of treason and money laundering against them. They have also called for the rejection of the statements credited to them.

They claim the statements were taken without following legal procedures. But the prosecution insists the statements were obtained legally. The judge has not made a decision yet.

In October last year, Mr. Sylva, who is said to be the main financier of the plot, denied any involvement. He insisted on his innocence and pointed to a Defence Headquarters’ press statement that called the coup rumors just that - rumors.

"Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever, either in planning or logistics, with any such plot. He is a thoroughbred democrat whose political journey has been defined by faith in democratic processes and institutions," his spokesperson wrote.

Mr. Sylva, who said he was in the UK with his wife and planned to go to Malaysia, has not returned to Nigeria yet.

Meanwhile, five people linked to him are facing trial for allegedly hiding his whereabouts. The government has also taken steps to temporarily seize nine properties linked to him in prime areas of Abuja.

All claims before the trial will still be examined in court to see if they are true.