…How it all began
…Key conspirators identified
CITIZENS COMPASS— Fresh details have emerged following the indictment of a group of military officers and civilians about how to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The details captured their plans and how they were carried out.
These were contained in recent fresh court records obtained by journalists.
The documents, which run into thousands of pages, include bank records, hotel receipts, electronic communications, interrogation materials and other evidence gathered during the investigation into the alleged plot.
At the centre of the investigation is Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, whom military investigators have identified as a key figure in the alleged conspiracy.
Ma’aji and other serving military officers are facing proceedings before a General Court Martial, while six retired military personnel and civilians are standing trial separately before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
All the defendants have denied wrongdoing, while the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
According to an extrajudicial statement attributed to Ma’aji and contained in the investigative records, discussions about military intervention began in 2023, towards the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Ma’aji told investigators that insecurity, corruption, economic hardship and what he considered poor governance were among the issues that fuelled discussions among some officers.
“Things particularly got out of control towards the end of Buhari’s administration when corruption and nepotism became the order of the day,” he stated.
He said officers who shared similar concerns were gradually identified and approached.
“Most of the officers involved share the same sense of patriotism, love of country and genuine desire for positive change,” he wrote.
However, the alleged plan did not immediately progress.
Ma’aji said the group faced difficulties with funding, logistics and manpower, forcing the project to be put on hold.
He claimed that he personally provided a substantial portion of the money used during the early stages.
“Most of the money spent were my personal resources generated through sales of my personal property coupled with sacrifice and contributions from some members,” he said.
According to his statement, one Army major contributed ₦1 million, while another officer allegedly provided foreign currency on several occasions.
Ma’aji also claimed that he sold three houses in Kaduna State and a student hostel at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to finance activities associated with the group.
The documents indicate that the plan was later revived after Ma’aji failed for a second time to secure promotion to the rank of brigadier general in 2024.
“When I missed my second attempt at promotion to brigadier general in 2024, some of the boys started disturbing and calling on me that we needed to revive the movement again,” he stated.
Ma’aji, however, insisted that the failed promotion was not the main reason for the alleged plot.
He instead cited a number of economic and political issues, including the removal of fuel subsidy, Naira reforms, taxation, electricity tariffs, corruption and insecurity.
“The issue of fuel subsidy removal, floating (of Naira), dubious taxes, multiple taxation, and electricity tariff hike were all of major concerns,” he said.
He also referred to the handling of the #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protests, arguing that unemployment and economic hardship had left many young Nigerians frustrated.
Ma’aji told investigators that Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah was among those who pushed for the alleged plan to be revived.
According to the statement, Bappah travelled from Ibadan to Abuja to persuade Ma’aji to continue with the project and reportedly offered to sell a plot of land in Bauchi to raise funds.
The property was not sold, according to the records.
The alleged conspirators subsequently held meetings at different locations in Abuja.
Ma’aji identified Brookville Hotel and Greenland Hotel in Lokogoma as among the venues where meetings were held.
He said the first of the renewed meetings took place towards the end of 2024 or early 2025, with some of the same officers involved in the earlier discussions.
New members were allegedly introduced as the group attempted to expand its network.
The statement attributed to Ma’aji also contained claims about efforts to recruit people who could provide access, manpower and other logistical support.
He said Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa, was introduced through Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim.
Ma’aji said the two men had initially been approached in circumstances that were not directly related to the alleged plot, but that they were subsequently drawn into the wider discussions.
He claimed that Umoru initially requested ₦1 billion to facilitate access to the Villa, but that he rejected the demand.
“At first, Zekeri requested N1 billion to assist in getting access to the Villa, and I told him that we are stirred by patriotism, not money, and whatever was available, I would share with him,” he stated.
Ma’aji also described an alleged proposal to mobilise members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the North-East.
He said Major Iliyasu suggested using CJTF members as manpower and claimed that the group had access to weapons.
The alleged plan, however, was not fully implemented.
“This team has not been fully formed because there were supposed to be other meetings. There was no D-Day. We were waiting for the availability of resources and more officers and soldiers,” Ma’aji stated.
—GWG
