*Regret Not Alerting Security Agencies
THERE was drama and shock at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, May 4, when two of the three defendants, Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd) and Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (second and third defendants), admitted being aware of the plot topple the government of President Bola Tinubu last year.
However, another defendant, Maj-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, denied knowledge of the plot.
The revelations came to light during proceedings at the resume hearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, when prosecutors played recorded interrogation sessions in open court, showing Navy Captain Erasmus Victor (rtd) and Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, admitting prior knowledge of the alleged plot, though they denied active involvement.
Victor admitted he was informed of the plot by the alleged mastermind, Col. M. A. Ma’aji, who, according to him, was aggrieved over a stalled promotion and expressed intentions to “overthrow the system.”
He had told investigators that he advised against the plot, but failed to alert authorities due to their personal relationship, a decision he regretted, saying: “I feel so bad that I find myself in this situation.”
He pleaded for clemency, describing his predicament as “being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Also, Ibrahim, who said discussions initially centred on helping the officer secure promotion, but later shifted to an alleged plan to topple the government.
He admitted receiving between N1.4million and N1.5million and conducting reconnaissance around the Presidential Villa, including photographing sensitive areas and identifying possible access routes.
Investigators also disclosed that coded words, such as “fertiliser” and “farming” were allegedly used to mask discussions on funding and operational plans.
However, Victor and Ibrahim insisted they were not part of any execution plan, attributing their actions of not alerting the appropriate authorities to poor judgment and personal connections.
Victor said Ma’aji had complained about his stalled promotion and, “out of anger, he said he wants to overthrow the system,” but thyat he advised against such an act and suggested that the officer should instead consider retirement .
He admitted in the video that he was approached to render financial support, assist in raising funds for the plot or help acquire an apartment, with an assurance of being offered an appointment when the coup succeeded.
He stated that he declined involvement in the plot, but confirmed that he continued communication, using a secure messaging platform, and that coded language was used in discussions.
He insisted that he was not part of any operational arrangement and that he never rendered any assistance as requested by Ma’aji.
Victor lamented that his relationship with Ma’aji affected his thoughts, saying he would have reported to a security agency, such as the Navy, if he had no close relationship with him, an action he said he regretted, andpleaded for clemency.
Ibrahim, who was attached to the State House, told investigators that he was initially approached to help facilitate Ma’aji’s promotion through contacts within government circles, saying discussions between him and Ma’aji later shifted from promotion matters to alleged plot to overthrow the government.
He admitted receiving between N1.4million and N1.5million and participating in reconnaissance operations around the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House, taking photographs of parts of the Presidential Villa, including the President’s residence and surrounding terrain, and discussed possible access routes.
He also confirmed that coded terms, such as “fertiliser” and “farming” were used during conversations to refer to funding and the alleged operation, but insisted his involvement stemmed from clouded judgment due to his relationship with Ma’aji.
Ibrahim said he merely played along with the alleged plotters because he knew it would be impossible for them to access the State House.
In the first interview session, Maj-Gen. Mohammed Gana (rtd) said he retired from the Nigerian Army in 2010 as Chief of Defence Logistics and had since lived a quiet life and has never been involved in any act of indiscipline or crime.
He told investigators he knows Ma’aji and learnt that he had issues with his promotion, but did not know he was planning a coup, adding that if he was aware, he would have reported it.
He stated that his name first came up in connection with the alleged plot in relation to a N2million transfer, which investigators linked to him and admitted sharing, via WhatsApp, a copy of the coup speech read by the late Gen. Joshua Dongayaro during an earlier coup in the country.
He further admitted sharing, through the same medium, some messages containing anti-government rhetoric, but explained that he only forwarded the material as received and did not edit or originate it.
When investigators told him that the coup speech recovered from Ma’aji was tailored in line with the coup-related speech he forwarded, Gana said he did not know.
He, however, denied allegations of conducting reconnaissance at the Presidential Villa and participating in efforts to raise funds, including claims of sourcing billions of naira from former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva.
At the beginning of every interview session, investigators explained to the defendants the rationale behind the audiovisual recording, which they said was in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The investigators added that the recording was being done to ensure that the statements made by each of the defendants were voluntary and not obtained under coercion, torture or promises of favours.
They also told them that they had the right to remain silent if they chose not to say anything.
The defence team had challenged the admissibility of the video evidence, arguing that the statements were not made voluntarily, but Justice Abdulmalik overruled the objections and ordered the recordings to be played, saying their admissibility could be further examined during a trial-within-trial.
Further proceedings have been adjourned until Tuesday, May 5, for continuation of trial.
