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The prosecution, on Wednesday, opened its case in the accelerated trial of six men accused of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu, calling four witnesses to testify.
A soldier from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP), who testified under the protected identity “AAA”, provided details of how the alleged coup plot was uncovered and the findings that followed investigations.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness confirmed that he knew the six defendants.
He said the suspects were arrested in connection with an alleged coup plot involving Colonel M. A. Ma’aji, other serving officers, and civilians.
According to him, intelligence received by the then Chief of Army Staff, General O. O. Oluyede, was analysed and deemed credible, prompting an order for investigation.
The witness stated that his team arrested Col. Ma’aji, recovered his Samsung Galaxy phone, searched his residence, and found a jotter among other items.
He said the jotter allegedly contained operational plans, names and positions of senior officials in the current government, and officers marked for assassination during the supposed coup.
“We also found information about political and structural changes that were to be made upon the execution of the coup,” the witness said.
He added that forensic analysis of the recovered phone revealed alleged communication links between Col. Ma’aji, other officers, and the defendants.
The witness further stated: “We also found financial trails between Ma’aji, former Governor Timipre Sylva, and some of the defendants here before the court.”
He said coded messages used by the alleged plotters were also discovered, along with evidence of monetary transfers to some of the defendants.
Investigators also allegedly uncovered meetings held at locations including Green Land Apartment and BrookVille Hotel in Abuja, where discussions on regime change reportedly took place.
He claimed that funds traced through the company Purple Wave were used to finance the alleged plot, citing multiple transactions identified in its account statements.
The witness said vehicles were purchased and modified for operational purposes, while receipts for hotel bookings linked to the meetings were also recovered.
At this stage, the prosecution tendered documents from the BrookVille Hotel, which the court admitted despite objections from defence counsel.
Extracts from the phone of Col. Ma’aji were also admitted into evidence.
The witness further stated that some defendants made written and audiovisual statements during investigations, while others gave statements to the military police.
However, the court directed that audiovisual materials must be served on the defence before they could be played in court.
Earlier, the prosecution also called compliance officers from Jaiz Bank and SunTrust Bank, as well as a legal officer from Providus Bank, who tendered account-related documents linked to the case.
All three bank witnesses were cross-examined by defence counsel.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to May 4 and 5 for continuation of the prosecution’s case.
