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A suspected conspirator in an alleged coup plot has told investigators that discussions were held on cutting the electricity supply to the Presidential Villa to aid a takeover of government.
The revelation came from Zekeri Umoru, a Julius Berger employee working in the Maintenance Department at the Villa, through a video evidence played before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
Umoru, who is the 4th defendant in the case, said he warned that switching off power would immediately trigger investigations and lead to the detention of workers on duty.
During questioning by the Special Investigative Panel, Umoru alleged that the suspected coup mastermind, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, sent money to him through Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, the 3rd defendant.
The purpose was to recruit between 18 and 19 people working inside the Villa.
According to Umoru, the target list included soldiers, DSS officials and fellow Julius Berger staff.
Ma’aji allegedly told him he wanted access to the Presidential Villa and could achieve it “with force,” even if those recruited from inside refused to cooperate.
Umoru also claimed that Inspector Ibrahim later demanded N100 million from Ma’aji to allow the operation to pass through an ambulance route into the Villa. Ma’aji turned down the request, calling the amount excessive.
The colonel insisted he could still break into the Villa by force, though he admitted “there would be bloodshed.”
At some point, Umoru said he became uneasy with the plan and repeatedly tried to return the money given to him.
Accessing the Presidential Villa “was not a child’s play,” he said.
He denied ever having access to the Villa’s solar power plant, despite allegations that he planned to sabotage electricity supply.
When asked why he did not immediately report the plot to authorities, Umoru said Inspector Ibrahim discouraged him. He claimed Ibrahim asked him to delete messages and avoid contacting Ma’aji because an audit was ongoing in their office.
Justice Abdulmalik has adjourned the case until May 21 to continue the trial-within-trial. The proceeding will determine whether the statements made by the six defendants were voluntary.
