The Federal Government has lined up 30 prosecution witnesses, including military officers, bank officials and forensic experts, in the trial of six defendants accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration
FG Files 30 Witnesses in Alleged Coup Plot Trial Involving Ex-Generals, Police Officer
The Federal Government has assembled a formidable list of 30 prosecution witnesses as it intensifies its case against a retired army major general, a former navy captain, a police inspector and three other defendants accused of participating in an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The witnesses, whose identities and expected testimonies are contained in the Proof of Evidence filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja and exclusively obtained by this newspaper, are expected to provide key testimony and documentary evidence in a case that has attracted significant national attention since details of the alleged conspiracy first emerged last year.
The six defendants standing trial are retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni and Abdulkadir Sani. They are facing a 13-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, bordering on allegations of treason, terrorism financing, failure to disclose information and money laundering.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired with Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji and other suspects said to be at large to wage war against the Nigerian state and unlawfully remove President Tinubu from office. Prosecutors further allege that some of the accused persons concealed knowledge of the purported plot, while others were involved in handling funds allegedly connected to the conspiracy.
To support its case, the government plans to rely on a broad range of evidence, including financial records, electronic forensic analysis, recovered documents and testimonies from both civilian and military witnesses.
Investigators who handled the case and recovered documentary exhibits are expected to provide crucial testimony during the trial. The prosecution has also listed officials from 13 financial institutions, including Access Bank, Union Bank, Fidelity Bank, Zenith Bank, Providus Bank, United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank, First Bank, Ecobank, Jaiz Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, SunTrust Bank and Opay Digital Services Limited. These officials are expected to tender account opening documents, statements of account and other banking records considered relevant to the case.
Forensic experts who extracted and analysed data from mobile phones recovered during the investigation are also expected to testify on digital evidence gathered by security agencies.
Several civilian witnesses have equally been listed. Aminu Abdullahi is expected to testify regarding instructions allegedly received from Colonel Ma’aji and the receipt and disbursement of funds. Abdulganiyu Ahmed is expected to give evidence relating to vehicles allegedly purchased in connection with the case, while Moses Opata will testify on contracts awarded for refurbishing vehicles allegedly linked to the defendants. Peter Gambo, identified as a golf kit dealer, is expected to testify on the sale of golf kits to Squadron Leader Noel Zuzu.
Representatives of Brookville Hotel & Suites in Abuja, Greenland Luxury Apartments in Abuja and Hotel 17 in Kaduna are also expected to appear before the court to provide evidence regarding hotel reservations and meetings allegedly organised by Colonel Ma’aji and other individuals connected to the prosecution’s case.
The government’s witness list further includes senior military personnel expected to testify on issues surrounding the movement, custody and handling of arms and ammunition. Among them are Captain Haruna, Officer Commanding the 81 Division Provost Company; Corporal Bejide Kehinde; Colonel Y.B. Mohammed; Brigadier General E. Agada; and Captain K.I. Eromosele.
According to the Proof of Evidence, these military witnesses are expected to provide testimony concerning arms allegedly signed out from armouries, weapons reportedly transferred for safekeeping and whether certain requests for the movement of arms and ammunition were officially authorised.
Despite unveiling the extensive witness list, prosecutors informed the court that they reserve the right to submit additional evidence and call more witnesses as proceedings continue.
FULL LIST OF PROSECUTION WITNESSES
Investigation officers
1. Investigation Officers – Officers who handled the investigation and recovered documentary exhibits.
Bank officials
2. Access Bank – Officials expected to tender account opening documents, statements of account and other banking records.
3. Union Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
4. Fidelity Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
5. Zenith Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
6. Providus Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
7. United Bank for Africa (UBA) – Officials expected to tender banking records.
8. First City Monument Bank (FCMB) – Officials expected to tender banking records.
9. First Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
10. Ecobank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
11. Jaiz Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
12. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) – Officials expected to tender banking records.
13. SunTrust Bank – Officials expected to tender banking records.
14. Opay Digital Services Limited – Officials expected to tender banking records.
Forensic experts
15. Forensic Experts – Experts who extracted and analysed mobile phones recovered from the defendants.
Civilian witnesses
16. Aminu Abdullahi – Expected to testify on instructions allegedly received from Colonel Ma’aji and the receipt and disbursement of funds.
17. Abdulganiyu Ahmed – To testify on vehicles allegedly purchased in connection with the case.
18. Moses Opata – To testify on contracts awarded for refurbishing vehicles allegedly linked to the defendants.
19. Peter Gambo (Golf kit dealer) – Expected to testify on the sale of golf kits to Squadron Leader Noel Zuzu.
Hotel representatives
20. Brookville Hotel & Suites, Abuja – Representatives expected to testify on hotel reservations and meetings allegedly organised by Mr Ma’aji and others.
21. Greenland Luxury Apartments, Abuja – Representatives expected to testify on hotel reservations and meetings allegedly organised by Mr Ma’aji and others.
22. Hotel 17, Kaduna – Representatives expected to testify on hotel reservations and meetings allegedly organised by Mr Ma’aji and others.
Military witnesses
23. Captain Haruna – Officer Commanding, 81 Division Provost Company, expected to testify on a military Hilux vehicle allegedly kept in Military Police custody.
24. Corporal Bejide Kehinde – To testify on arms and ammunition allegedly signed out from the armoury of 130 Battalion, Maiduguri.
25. Colonel Y.B. Mohammed – To testify on arms and ammunition allegedly received for safekeeping at the 1 Division Garrison Armoury.
26. Brigadier General E. Agada – To testify that 403 Amphibious Brigade did not request the backloading of arms and ammunition from 130 Battalion.
27. Captain K.I. Eromosele – To testify that 130 Battalion (Rear) did not request arms and ammunition from 130 Battalion (Main).
The prosecution also informed the court that it reserves the right to file additional evidence and call more witnesses as the trial progresses.
The case is expected to be one of the most closely watched national security trials in recent years, as the government seeks to prove allegations of a conspiracy aimed at destabilising Nigeria’s democratic order and removing President Tinubu from office. The defendants have not been convicted, and the allegations remain subject to determination by the court.
Source: Premium Times NG
